The Pride had another average campaign in 2003-04, going only 10-8 in league play and 14-15 overall. However, that will likely change this season, as three valuable starters return for coach Tom Pecora, including guard Loren Stokes. Last year's team MVP, Stokes averaged 12.9 ppg and 4.4 rpg while also scoring 15.7 ppg in CAA action. Although Stokes' presence in the lineup should be a major factor in Hofstra's resurgence, the loss of all- conference candidate Kenny Adeleke does not. Adeleke was expected to return this season for Hofstra, but he was dismissed from school during the offseason. Forward Adrian Uter and center Wendell Gibson should pick up the slack with Adeleke gone from the team, as both players have the ability to score from the paint and rebound effectively. Gibson has gone widely unnoticed in the CAA, but this could be his breakout campaign after averaging 14.2 ppg and 6.2 rpg last year. Coach Pecora has the talent in place to make a run at the conference title, but the loss of Adeleke will make it difficult.