Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: 10 mid-majors to watch for ahead of 2021 offseason

By Benjamin Zacher

Mar 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Jalen Adaway (33) moves in for a basket against the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Jalen Adaway (33) moves in for a basket against the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /
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Iona’s Nelly Junior Joseph Iona Vs Quinnipiac Maac Mens Basketball Boardwalk Hall Ac 7
Iona’s Nelly Junior Joseph Iona Vs Quinnipiac Maac Mens Basketball Boardwalk Hall Ac 7 /

Iona Gaels

  • 2020-21 record: 12-6 overall, 6-3 MAAC
  • Key returners: Nelly Junior Joseph (11.1 ppg), Berrick JeanLouis (8.1 ppg), Dylan Van Eyck (7.1 ppg)
  • Key additions: Tyson Jolly (SMU, 9.3 ppg), Elijah Joiner (Tulsa, 11.3 ppg), Trey James (three-star C)

The transition from the Tim Cluess era to the Rick Pitino era went without a hitch, despite a flurry of COVID-19 issues that caused the Gaels to play just five games during the 2021 calendar year leading up to the MAAC Tournament – which saw Iona coast to the conference title as a nine-seed.

Despite losses to struggling Fairfield, Manhattan, and Quinnipiac teams, the Gaels – in their late-season success – were responsible for denying the MAAC regular seasons champs in Siena a shot at a MAAC tournament title, and supplied the college basketball world a thrilling 15-2 showdown against Alabama in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Now, Pitino will get his first crack at a full season at the helm – and the Gaels will look a little different from last year’s championship squad.  Isaiah Ross and Asante Gist – Iona’s top two leading scorers – have opted not to use their extra year of eligibility, while Dylan van Eyck will return for a fifth season after ranking fifth in scoring and second in rebounds and assists per game.  To add to that, Nelly Junior Joseph and Berrick JeanLouis – the team’s third and fourth-leading scorers – are both slated to return.

While Ross and Gist’s departures appear devastating on the surface, the impact will be mightily softened with the additions of AAC transfers Tyson Jolly and Elijah Joiner.  Both should find themselves in the starting lineup immediately, especially after impressive showings last season – Jolly, despite playing just eight games, recorded double-digit performances against Memphis and Boise State, while Joiner started 22 games and registered double-digits in 15 games, including a season-best 22 points against Cincinnati.

Time will tell if the Gaels can rebound from the loss of Ross and Gist, but Jolly and Joiner hopping on board – along with the significant departures from Siena’s roster – should have Iona back in the forefront of the MAAC and the potential favorites for the conference title.  Pitino’s first season at the helm yielded solid successes in a year full of unusual challenges, and how he will handle the Gaels in a full, normal campaign has yet to be seen – but if last season was any indication, then Iona should continue to be the dominant force in the MAAC.

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