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Welcome to the jungle.
Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton is coming into March Madness like a lion and wants his Pride to pounce on a storied program in the coming days.
“I’m hoping that we could get somebody like a North Carolina — somebody that has a lot of history,” the former NBA champ with the Spurs told The Post.
“We’re not going there just to be happy we’re there … we’re trying to win,” the former Hofstra player added.
It’s not unreasonable for Claxton to say the 24-10 Long Island school is no charity case and instead a team demanding respect.
The apex predators put a dent in the ACC this season on their way to a hard-fought CAA championship — scratching the Pittsburgh Panthers 80-73 and pulping the Syracuse Orange 70-69.
“We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with,” Claxton said.
“They lace their shoes up just like we do. They get dressed just like we do. It’s a normal opponent. It’s nothing that we haven’t seen before.”
Lion’s tale
Hofstra’s zenith has been a long time coming: 25 years, a global disaster, and three conference finals heartbreaks — two of which Claxton was an assistant coach for under Joe Mihalich — to be exact.
The duo finally had the right stuff in 2020 and came out swinging with an 88-78 upset over UCLA, followed by a CAA title win over Northeastern 70-61 — a revenge game after falling to the Huskies 82-74 in the final prior.
Their one shining moment was clouded by COVID-19, which canceled March Madness 2020 before Hofstra could even enjoy Selection Sunday.
“Damn. Every time, it was something,” lamented Claxton, who went dancing as a senior for Hofstra under Jay Wright in 2000.
The circumstances were similar in his own college days, minus a worldwide pandemic, of course.
“Year after year, we kept falling short, and then we just pushed through. It was very special for that team.”
Claxton took over the program in 2021 for his good friend and mentor — he said Mihalich taught him “everything” from running practice to managing players and staff — and had the Pride roar into a new day.
The team got a taste of broader attention by upsetting Rutgers in an overtime barnburner to take Round 1 of the 2023 NIT, 88-86, which was Claxton’s coaching pinnacle.
Before beating Monmouth 75-69 to clinch the tournament berth last week, that is.
“I really couldn’t believe that we did what we just did,” said Claxton, who broke into tears at the final buzzer.
“It’s been a long journey.”
Prideful moment
Now Claxton wants the world to give his players their long-overdue spotlight.
“We should receive a standing ovation, because that’s what’s deserved,” said Claxton, who was given a hero’s welcome at one of his favorite restaurants, Robke’s of Northport, on Thursday.
“It is earned … and now we get some national recognition.”
What means the most to Claxton is that his group, God willing, will finally experience the pomp and circumstance that comes with breaking through all barriers to March Madness.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of them,” said the coach, who is still holding his breath until an official tip-off.
“I want these kids to get the full experience, get to watch Selection Sunday, see their name get called, go to the site and have practice, and actually get to play.”
The biggest factor going into the NCAA Tournament is all about managing the “jitters” of the larger-than-life opportunity, according to Claxton.
He’s got no concerns for Hofstra’s cool cats like CAA freshman of the year Preston Edmead, who sank a near-buzzer-beater in overtime against Towson in the 68-65 semifinals.
“Knowing my guys, they’re gonna be ready for the moment,” Claxton said.
“I’m happy to be able to share that experience with them.”
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