TAMPA — Alabama Prepares for NCAA Tournament Without Aiden Holloway

The University of Alabama is gearing up to face Hofstra in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, but they’ll be doing so without their second-leading scorer, Aiden Holloway.

Holloway, who averaged 16.8 points per game, was arrested earlier this week on a Class C felony drug possession charge after over two pounds of marijuana were discovered in his apartment, leading to his expulsion from campus.

He didn’t join the team for practice on Thursday at Benchmark Arena.

“Right now, we’re preparing based on who’s in practice, and unfortunately, he’s not,” said Alabama coach Nate Oats. He added that the team is well-equipped to cope with Holloway’s absence, noting their depth.

Sophomore Jahlil Beshear from Philadelphia is expected to take on a larger role in Holloway’s stead. Oats remarked, “Jalil has prepared well and stayed focused. He’s quite talented.”

Teammate Houston Mallett expressed confidence in their ability to handle the situation, saying, “We have several players ready to step up. Jalil is really something special.”

Following Holloway’s arrest, Oats mentioned that he has reached out to him multiple times, emphasizing the importance of support during difficult times. “I think we all make mistakes. It’s crucial to be there for him now more than ever,” he said.

In another corner of the tournament, Hofstra’s athletic director, Rick Cole Jr., recently invited former coach Joe Mihalich and his wife Mary to join the team on their NCAA trip. Mihalich, who coached Hofstra from 2013 to 2021, had to retire due to health issues but played a significant role in the development of current coach Speedy Claxton.

Mihalich became emotional at the invitation, saying, “I cried when Rick called me,” while watching his former team practice. This trip holds special meaning for him, as he led Hofstra to an NCAA berth in 2020, only for the tournament to be canceled due to the pandemic.

“It’s something I think about every day. I’ll never completely get over it,” he reflected.

Claxton echoed Mihalich’s impact, saying, “It’s incredible to have one of my coaching mentors here in this moment. He taught me how to view basketball from a college coaching perspective.”

Meanwhile, Hofstra players Cruz Davis, Preston Edmead, and German Plotnikov were presented with personalized placards at a press conference, a memorable moment that truly excited them.

After Friday’s game, NCAA officials had to fetch the players from their locker room for another event, promising they would be available for interviews after the tournament. “I want them to enjoy this experience to the fullest,” Claxton said.

Comparing Alabama to teams within Hofstra’s league, Claxton noted that the closest stylistic match would be William and Mary. Hofstra faced them previously, losing 89-82 in the regular season, but bounced back with a 92-61 victory in the CAA Tournament. “They play at a similar tempo, but we told our guys, ‘Think of William and Mary on steroids’—more athletic, bigger, faster, and stronger,” he explained.