UMaine faces challenge vs. Claxton-led Hofstra

Three years ago Craig Claxton was one of several players mentioned as one of America East’s future stars.

Two years ago he was the player of the year.

This year, the Hofstra guard with the appropriate nickname – “Speedy” – and the gaudy 23.4 points-per-game average has made another transition: He has joined Vin Baker, the late Reggie Lewis and Malik Rose as the league’s latest sure-bet NBA player.

“He has a level of quickness that would be extremely high even in the NBA,” said University of Maine coach John Giannini. “He also has a great winning mentality, he does a lot of good things with very few mistakes.”

Maine junior Colin Haynes is more succinct.

“Obviously, he’s explosive,” Haynes said. “He can get to the hole pretty much whenever he wants.”

On Friday, Claxton’s Flying Dutchmen invade Alfond Arena to take on the Black Bears. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Up for grabs is sole possession of first place in the conference.

The Black Bears bring a 13-4 overall record and 5-1 America East mark into the contest. The Dutchmen are 10-5, 5-1.

UMaine senior Corey Thibodeau has seen enough of Claxton over his career to know that the Hofstra star is special.

“He’s gonna be a first-round pick in the NBA this summer,” Thibodeau said without hesitation.

Thibodeau said the big difference between this year’s Claxton and the Speedy of the past is the fact that his repertoire has grown.

“He’s quick. He can defend. He can do everything,” Thibodeau said. “And from what I hear, he can step out and shoot it a little bit now. It’s kind of scary.”

In the past, Claxton’s perimeter game was virtually nonexistent and defenders could dare him to shoot the 3-pointer by giving him a sizeable cushion.

Last year Claxton launched only 19 tries from outside the arc, connecting on six.

This season Claxton has made 20 of 45 attempts in 15 games, but is still driving to the hoop often enough to have earned an average of seven free throw attempts a contest.

The 5-foot-11 guard also hands out 6.2 assists per game and is the Dutchmen’s second-leading rebounder with 5.5 a game.

Included in his efforts this season are a 40-point blitzkrieg he tossed at Hartford, a 39-point explosion against Iona, and a 25-point second-half effort against the highly touted backcourt of St. John’s.

Giannini said the game’s importance is clear: If the Bears win, they’re in first place. A loss means his team would likely have to beat the Dutchmen on the road to finish ahead of them in the regular-season standings.

But Haynes said the Black Bears realize that and plan on defending their home court vigorously.

“Homecourt advantage is so important in our league that you can’t let anyone come in your house and beat you,” Haynes said.