Team preview: Hampton

Blue Ribbon Illustrated previews the 2004-05 college basketball season, exclusively on Insider.

Updated: October 20, 2004, 4:58 PM ET
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COACH AND PROGRAM

Hampton was the preseason pick last year by many (including Blue Ribbon) to win it third MEAC title in four years.

In 2003, Hampton lost in the MEAC Tournament title game to South Carolina State. The Pirates were determined to get back to the NCAA Tournament last season, but things simply never came together.

Hampton struggled through a 2-9 non-conference record and then played decently in the MEAC with an 11-7 league record. The Pirates needed a late four-game winning streak to get in a second-place tie with Delaware State.

In the MEAC Tournament, the Pirates looked like they were headed to the semifinals as they took a 71-69 lead against Florida A&M in the quarterfinals. But Terrence Woods hit a 30-footer with 0.8 seconds left to give the Rattlers the victory. The last-second shot hung in the air before falling through the basket and ending Hampton's season.

Watching Florida A&M win the tournament and go 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament was painful for the Pirates.


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