The Hofstra Pride were ready to dance.
Hofstra already earned its bid into the annual NCAA Tournament, a moment nearly two decades in the making. The Pride haven't made the tournament since 2001. They've endured multiple season-ending heartbreaks and various invitations to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in the years since their last appearance.
When head coach Joe Mihalich and the Pride clinched the Colonel Athletic Association (CAA) title, the Pride had their sights set on Selection Sunday and all of the dramatics that comes with a tournament appearance.
Hofstra, however, won't have the opportunity to do so in wake of the NCAA's decision to cancel the annual men's basketball tournament.
NCAA president Mark Emmert announced the cancelation of both men's and women's basketball tournaments in 2020 on Thursday afternoon. Hofstra, one of the few teams to have already received automatic entry, experienced another heart-breaking moment.
"I worked so hard to get here," said star guard Desure Buie on social media.
I worked so hard to get here --. That's Wild smh I'm hurt hurt --
— Desure Buie (@Desure_Buie) March 12, 2020Hofstra's outstanding season was the likely the last chance for Buie and other seniors had at chasing the illustrious tournament appearance. Mihalich praised Buie and senior Eli Pemberton when he joined WFAN in the aftermath of the massive win.
Praying for everyone's safety in the midst of these terrible times. But man, I am so hurt for my brothers and I. So hurt.
— Elijah Pemberton (@ElijahPemberto1) March 13, 2020--
— Hofstra Men's Basketball (@HofstraMBB) March 12, 2020An outpouring amount of basketball fans commiserated with Hofstra in wake of the official announcement. There was a glimmer of hope Hofstra would be able to play in at least one tournament game this month.
The NCAA originally planned to host its games with a restricted attendance policy until programs like Duke and Kansas were removed from March Madness, prompting the difficult decision to cancel the tournament.
