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Iona Basketball: 2019 NCAA Tournament preview of the Gaels

By Daniel Benjamin

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Head coach Tim Cluess of the Iona Gaels yells to his team during the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Head coach Tim Cluess of the Iona Gaels yells to his team during the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Iona Basketball is representing the MAAC in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year.

The Iona Gaels have once again earned their way to the main floor as they are dancing in the “Big Dance” for the fourth straight year. However, the Gaels reached the NCAA Tournament a little differently this season.

Iona returned just two of their top seven players from a year ago. As a result, the junior-laden Gaels got off to a slow start due to them not being familiar playing with each other and having a tough nonconference schedule. The Gaels split their first four games of the season. They earned wins over America East foes Albany (home) and Hartford (neutral) while suffering setbacks to New Mexico and Long Beach State.

Iona then lost seven straight games to close its non-conference slate of games with a 2-9 record. The Gaels lost to Providence, Ohio, VCU, Columbia, Princeton, Yale and Holy Cross during this stretch. Four of the seven losses were by double-digits. The Gaels played the 137th toughest schedule per KenPom.com.

Iona began MAAC play lighting up the scoreboard with the Gaels putting up at least 88 points in each of the team’s first five conference games, posting a 4-1 record during that span. Following the strong start, the Gaels dropped five of their next six games with four of those losses coming by four or fewer points. Iona (17-15, 12-6 MAAC) closed the season on a 10-game winning streak to capture both the conference regular season and tournament title. It was the 12th time overall, and first since 2013, that Iona won a regular season title. The Gaels also captured their 11th conference tournament title. They have won four regular season and six tournament championships under ninth-year coach Tim Clues’ direction.

6-foot-6 junior E.J. Crawford, who is an outstanding scorer and efficient scorer, leads four players averaging double-figures for the Gaels. Crawford has scored in double-figures in 29 of 32 appearances, topping the double-figure mark on 15 occasions. 6-foot-2 point guard Rickey McGill is a speedy point guard who is also an outstanding distributor. 6-foot-9 forward Tajuan Agee, who had an outstanding first year in D-I basketball as he led the MAAC in rebounding, and 5’11” guard Asante Gist, who transferred from Eastern Kentucky, were the other two players who averaged double-figures.

Iona has set a MAAC record with their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Gaels, who are making their 14th overall Tournament appearance, have not had much success in the NCAA Tournament as they are 1-13 record all-time. The Gaels have lost each of their last three postseason games by 13 or more, which includes a 22-point shellacking at the hands of Duke last year.

Next. Most likely first round upsets in NCAA Tournament. dark

For the first time ever, the Gaels are a 16 seed. As an award, Iona gets the Midwest Region’s No. 1 seed North Carolina Tar Heels (27-6).  The No. 3 Tar Heels (27-6)  finished tied with Virginia atop of the ACC at 16-2. Cameron Johnson, Luke Maye, Coby White, Nassir Little, and Kenny Williams lead a very talented team.