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NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 teams in the 2021 ESPN Events Invitational

By Cody Mitchell

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Kevin Obanor #0 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and Jaylin Williams #10 of the Arkansas Razorbacks jump for the opening tip off in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Kevin Obanor #0 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and Jaylin Williams #10 of the Arkansas Razorbacks jump for the opening tip off in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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ESPN Events Invitational NCAA Basketball Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

5. Iona Gaels

“The Rick Pitino effect.” Yes, I have a MAAC school edge out Miami Fl in power rankings for a tournament that at the end of the day isn’t really doesn’t award much. But there is a legitimate case for this. Iona will be one of the most feared mid-major schools in the country next season.

Pitino has a stellar returning cast for the defending MAAC champs. Nelly Junior-Joesph returns for his sophomore campaign after a stellar first season in New Rochelle. Junior-Joesph averaged 11.1 points a contest as the third option offensively. With Isiah Ross and Asante Gist out of the fold, Junior-Joesph will have more opportunities to be the man offensively. Berrick JeanLouis is the other notable returning starter, a 37% three-point shooter who really takes advantage of the spacing in Pitino’s system.

The Pitino effect really comes into play with the three big transfers he acquired this offseason. The biggest being Elijah Joiner from Tulsa. Joiner averaged a little over 11 points and 4 rebounds last season. Taking a step down in competition he really should make his presence felt in the MAAC. Tyson Jolly comes over from SMU, another athletic guard who shoots it very well from outside. Lastly, Quinn Slazinski comes over from Pitino’s former school Louisville, he is a 6’8 forward who is still very raw and has a lot of upside.

Iona will have the coaching advantage over everyone outside of Kansas in this field. Depending on who they get matched up with, we could see the Gaels shocking someone in this first round. Anything after that would be dreaming. Either way, Iona will not be an easy out.

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