Iona Gaels: 22-12, 12-8 in the MAAC
Head coach: Tim Cluess (7th season)
Players to watch: Jordan Washington (17.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG); Jon Severe (11.3 PPG, 43.0 3PT%); Rickey McGill (10.8 PPG, 5.2 APG)
Season recap: Following back-to-back losses against Florida State and Nevada to open the season, the Gaels won eight of their next nine games behind strong play from Jordan Washington. The senior forward is the fulcrum of the Iona offense and has done a solid job filling the void left by the departure of last season's leading scorer A.J. English. With Jon Severe spacing the floor beside them, Washington is capable of generating good looks for an offense that averages almost 80 points per game.
Although the Gaels struggled out of the gate in conference play with four losses in their first six games, Iona used a six-game winning streak to right the ship. But Iona was inconsistent to end the season and was forced to win the MAAC tournament from the No. 3 seed. With an NCAA bid in the balance, Washington led the way for the Gaels with three consecutive big games. Washington averaged 19.7 points and seven rebounds per contest in the tournament and posted a double-double in his team's one-point overtime win in the championship game against Siena.
How they make a run: The Iona offense puts up big numbers and Washington proves to be a load to handle down low as Iona notches its first NCAA tournament win since 1980.
How they falter: The Gaels inability to defend burns them early in the tournament and Washington struggles to deal with the size and athleticism of big men outside of the MAAC conference.
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Digital Strategy Director for Vol. 115, Michael was previously Sports Editor for Vol. 114 and Assistant Blue Zone Editor for Vol. 113. Michael is a senior majoring in Statistical Science and is interested in data analytics and using data to make insights.