HAMPTON, Va. (Feb. 17, 2026) … When Hampton University plays archrival Howard University, it's called the Battle of the Real HU.

When Hampton takes on CAA foe Hofstra, it's the Battle of the CAA HUs.

The Pirates will also be battling geography. The Pirates are 9-1 at the Convocation Center and have won 12 of the last 13 games on their home court. The Pirates are 3-13 on the road and have lost the last seven games away from home.

Hampton will look to snap that streak during its two-game swing to New York.

The Pirates play at Hofstra on Thursday, Feb. 19 and at on Stony Brook on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Hofstra and Stony Brook have a combined 32-21(.604) record are among the upper echelon of the CAA.

But Coach Ivan Thomas's team registered victories over both the last time they faced the Pirates on the hardwood.

The Game
Coming off a disappointing loss at the hands of longtime rival North Carolina A&T in the game's final seconds, Hampton (12-14, 6-7) looks to return to its winning ways on a trip to New York to face Hofstra (17-10, 8-6) on Feb. 19 and at Stony Brook (15-11, 7-6) on Feb. 21.

The Pirates held a 70-68 lead in the closing seconds before an Aggie basket and free throw with :04 left lifted North Carolina A&T to the win in Los Angeles at the NBA All-Star Game's HBCU Classic.

Hampton will also look to snap a seven-game losing streak on the road. Hampton's last road win was on Dec. 8 at the Chris Paul HBCU Classic where the Pirates tamed Jackson State 84-77 in Atlanta, Ga.

Hofstra's Cruz Davis leads the CAA in scoring (21.1 ppg) while teammate Preston Edmead (15.4 ppg) ranks ninth in the league.

Hampton has been without the services of leading scorer Michael Eley (12.7 ppg) who has missed eight games this season --- including the last four --- with a foot injury. On Jan. 8, Eley tallied 43 points at Campbell, a career and team high. He scored four points in 12 minutes against UNCW on Jan. 24 in his last appearance. 

Gaines-Wyatt is now Hampton's starting point guard, averaging 12.1 ppg. Forwards Daniel Johnson (9.9 ppg) and Xzavier Long (9.5 ppg) are scoring threats. Long leads the CAA and is 13th nationally in rebounding with 10.1 rpg.