Midwest No. 13 – Iona Gaels (Overall: 22-10, Conf: 16-4)
Team Strengths
English has unquestionably been the Gael’s best player this season. He’s done a splendid job in making plays for himself and for his teammates by averaging 22.4 PPG and 6.2 APG. The senior forward also marches in to the tournament with a lot of momentum, as he has scored 19 or more points in each of his previous five games, including a solid double-double effort (20 points, 10 assists) in a win over Siena last week.
Meanwhile, the Gael’s offense, which is putting up 79.6 PPG, still has the reliable trio of Jordan Washington (13.8 PPG), Deyshonee Much (13.1 PPG) and Isaiah Williams (12.9 PPG) to provide some buckets.
When you keep in mind these three players as well, Iona’s offense is really loaded enough to take down any team in the tournament. And their first-round opponent—Iowa State Cyclones—might just be their first victims.
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Team Weaknesses
Iona’s downfall could likely come from their carelessness and their overall defense. The Gaels are turning the ball over at least 12 times per contest and are giving up 73.7 points, which is among the worst in the country today. The team’s perimeter defense, in particular, has been quite mediocre, allowing 7.7 three-pointers made per game. These unnecessary mistakes and mental lapses on their defensive coverages could ultimately spell doom for the Gaels especially when matched up with a tougher or a more experienced opponent.
Team Stats
| Category | Stat | NCAA Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 79.6 | 26 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 36.9 | 114 |
| Blocks Per Game | 4.1 | 82 |
| 3-Point Percentage | 37.2% | 55 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 71.2% | 124 |
Starting Lineup
| Position | Name | PPG |
|---|---|---|
| F | Jordan Washington | 13.8 |
| G | A.J. English | 22.4 |
| G | Deyshonee Much | 13.1 |
| G | Isaiah Williams | 12.9 |
| G | Ibn Muhammad | 5.2 |
Writer’s Prediction
Iona gets eliminated in the Sweet 16.
