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Hofstra fans still have enormous pride.
Blue and gold faithful are holding their heads high off the team’s first NCAA Tournament run in a quarter century despite a death-by-1,000-cuts 90-70 loss to Alabama on Friday that was much closer than the score.
“They left it all out there,” Hofstra season ticket holder Al Arthur told The Post. “It’s been a very emotional ride.”
The dad of a recent graduate watched the back-and-forth affair — Hofstra went on a 16-2 run in the first half and trailed only 37-35 after 20 minutes — at Northport’s Birdie Bar, where owner Louie Selvaggio is a friend of head coach Speedy Claxton.
The bar was filled with excited fans, some drinking specially made, blue “Speedy-tini” cocktails concocted by staff in Claxton jerseys.
Down the road at its sister restaurant, Robke’s, where Claxton ate last week after winning the CAA, the Italian joint exploded with excitement when waiter “Matty Birthday’s” led the whole joint in a ground-shaking Hofstra cheer at tipoff.
Arthur’s friend, fellow season ticket holder Ken Pilla, admired the Pride for playing with pride until the final whistle — despite Bama running away with it in the final few minutes.
“I think that’s a reflection of their coach and the coaching staff,” he said. “That’s Speedy right on down.”
The duo, plus Arthur’s wife, Carol, all recognize that Hofstra’s star players caught national attention Friday in the transfer-portal age of collegiate sports.
They were relieved to know that freshman phenom Preston Edmead, whose 24 points were the most scored by a Hofstra player in March Madness since the 1970s, plans to return next season, per his dad, John.
“He is very impressive,” Alex said of the Deer Park native.
“I would like to thank him personally for seeing that there’s more than just following the money.”
As for Selvaggio, who played against Claxton and his Christ the King High School at Saint Dominic High School years ago, he’s glad people will finally remember the name Hofstra.
“There has been such a buzz around Long Island for these guys,” said the owner.
Right before the game, he gave Hofstra varsity jackets to Claxton and Nets assistant coach Jay Hernandez, who played with Speedy at the university during its last two tournament runs under Jay Wright in 2000 and 2001.
“We’re just so happy and proud of them. Next year, we’re going to go right back,” Selvaggio said.
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