The Hawks are on a roll right now in Conference play, and they are led by a force of three offensive weapons: Jaycob Velasco, AJ Bridges, and TJ Williams.  In Conference play, Velasco is averaging 17.4 points a game, Bridges is averaging 16.8 points, and Williams is averaging 12.0 points a game.  The team as a whole is averaging 82.4 points a game and their last 5 opponents in Conference are averaging 56.6 points a game against them.  With that being said, the defense has played a major role also in the Hawks success with the last five wins in a row.  Assistant Coach Nicholas Podesta said, "that they pride themselves on making big time defensive stops, and always getting the rebound."

One key factor that will set one team apart from the other is who wins the rebounding battle.  In the Big 8 Conference play so far this season the Hawks are averaging 37.8 Offensive rebounds per game, ranking 2nd in the Big 8.  They are also averaging 23.6 Defensive rebounds per game, ranking them 8th in the Conference.  Modesto College is averaging 29.8 Offensive rebounds per game, ranking them 4th in the Big 8.  On the Defensive side, Modesto is averaging 26.6 rebounds a game, ranking them 5th in the Conference.  Individually the Hawks have the advantage, both TJ Williams and Jaycob Velasco are in the top ten for rebounds a game in the Big 8.  Williams is ranked 3rd and averaging 9.0 rebounds a game, and Velasco is ranked 7th and averaging 7.8 rebounds a game.  Both of these players have big frames that will help them box out and win the battle under the basket, with Williams standing at 6'5" and weighing 230lbs, and Velasco at 6'7", 265lbs.  

The Hawks are one of the Big 8's taller and bigger teams on the court.  With that being said, they run a 2 post system, and really focus on crashing the boards and making sure they get the rebound on defense, and the second chance to score on offense.  Assistant Coach Nicholas Podesta also said, "Modesto shoots very well, and that the Hawks need to take advantage of every opportunity they get to rebound a missed shot."