2023 Tournament PreviewAfter winning both the MAAC regular season and conference tournament, coach Rick Pitino has Iona in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. Three players average at least 15 points, led by sophomore shooting guard Walter Clayton Jr. (16.9 ppg), who hits 42.9 percent from deep. The Gaels' strength, though, is defense. Iona ranks ninth in the nation in perimeter defense, with opponents shooting 29.2 percent. The interior holds its own as well, as 6-9 Nelly Junior Joseph (15.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg) helps Iona rank fourth nationally in blocks per game with 5.5. The Gaels, though, haven't really been tested against high-caliber competition, with nearly two-thirds of their games coming in Quad 4 and no wins in Quads 1 or 2. Pitino has reportedly drawn interest from major programs to coach elsewhere next year, and he'd surely love to give the Gaels their first NCAA Tournament win since 1980 as a parting gift.
Scouting Report Offense Defense
Efficiency 1.07 140 0.99 126
Pace 70.1 (79)
Effective FG% 51.66 (105) 46.29 (19)
Turnover % 13.22 (18) 18.07 (57)
Off Reb % 31.57 (83) 30.69 (278)
FTA/FGA 28.98 (255) 30.93 (173)
3P% 36.16 (64) 29.74 (15)
2P% 50.45 (167) 47.18 (52)
FT% 73.18 (126) 70.53 (115)
3PA/FGA 31.98 (303) 34.66 (91)
Totals
Per Game
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Iona
Metro Atlantic Athletic
Rankings
NET: #58 RPI: #47 RW: #140
Record
Overall: (27-8) Conference: (17-3) Quad 1: (0-2) Quad 2: (1-1) Quad 3: (6-3) Quad 4: (20-2)
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Iona Depth Chart
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Iona Starting Lineup - Last 5 Games
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Iona Roster
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