Searching for Cinderella: Iona

Iona can score. In a time in college basketball where defenses seem to be dominating, Iona has found a way to score 79.9 points per game, good for 7th in the country. Ken Pomeroy says they have the 36th best Adjusted Offensive Efficiency rating in college basketball. How are they able to score so effectively? There are 2 answers to that question.

David Laury and A.J. English are a fearsome duo for the Gaels. Together, they're averaging 39.7 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. They account for nearly 50% of the scoring offense for Iona. They pull in 40% of the team's rebounds. They contribute 46% of the team's assists. They've played the most minutes, made the most field goals, and attempted more free throws than the rest of the team combined. They have put up stats so impressive it makes you forget that Schadrac Casimir averages 15 points per game or that Isaiah Williams was averaging 14 and 6 rebounds per contest before he went down with a foot injury.

Speaking of Williams, that injury threw the Gaels. Before he went down they were averaging 83.8 points per game. In the games he missed, just 75.5. He returned before their game against Manhattan on February 27, and the Gaels have increased their points per game to 77 since his return. Perhaps most encouragingly, Iona scored 95 in their most recent contest against Monmouth. If they get back to averaging 80+ points per game, this could be the team everyone is talking about in March.

Iona is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament. They have been to the Big Dance 10 times, including a win in 1980. They participated in the First Four in 2012 as a 14 seed (a loss to BYU) and were a 15 seed in 2013 (a loss to Ohio St.). If they win the MAAC Tournament this year, though, and make the NCAA Tournament, it will be a different story. They will still be an underdog but not by nearly as much as in the past. Joe Lunardi currently has them in as a 12 seed in his latest bracketology. It's almost cliche now to mention how often 12 seeds beat 5 seeds, but facts are facts. It's a draw that the Gaels would love to get.

The injury to Isaiah Williams has made a difference in this team. It still remains to be seen whether or not they will return to their high-scoring ways of earlier in the season now that he's back. If so, lookout. This team has the talent to play in the 2nd week of the tournament.