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MAAC Basketball: Addition of Zach Lewis makes Iona conference contenders

By Taylor Sturm

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Iona Gaels head coach Tim Cluess during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Oregon Ducks at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Iona Gaels head coach Tim Cluess during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Oregon Ducks at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Iona Gaels get a huge break heading into next season, as they land a fantastic transfer in UMass Minutemen guard Zach Lewis.

The Iona Gaels made it to the 2017 NCAA Tournament by winning the MAAC Tournament but flopped against an eventual Final Four team, the Oregon Ducks. Heading into 2017-18, however, things looked bleak, as the Gaels will lose several key players from their 2016-17 run.

Fortunately, Iona fans received a bit of fantastic news, as UMass Minutemen guard Zach Lewis announced that he will transfer to the Gaels next season. He is eligible to play for the team immediately during the 2017-18 season.

Lewis should slide immediately into the starting lineup. After averaging just over 10 points per game over his two seasons at Canisius, he averaged 8.8 points per game in significantly fewer minutes at UMass. The potential for him to explode offensively is there; he has just yet to take the opportunity.

While the MAAC should be wide open next season, Lewis’ addition makes Iona one of the contenders in the conference race. Monmouth should be the overwhelming favorite yet again, but, in a one-bid league, conference games only count for conference tournament seeding.

Iona finished six games behind No. 1 seeded Monmouth heading into the 2017 MAAC Tournament and did what they had to do in the conference tournament to make the Big Dance. Lewis’ addition gives this team an air of unpredictability, and, remember, anything can happen in March.

Next: Early top 25 for 2017-18

Do not be surprised if Lewis suddenly averages 15 or more points per game, as the lack of several scorers from the previous season will allow him to shoot far more than he did at UMass. There is still a lot of time until next season starts, but Gaels’ fans should feel much better about 2017-18 as of now.