I think this team is on another level than all of those teams, including the at-large team. Schedule aside, the talent on this team is unquestionable, and this is probably the most complete team we’ve ever had under TC.
I prefer to watch a number of games to see what the team chemistry looks like. Hopefully it’s a cohesive unit.
I see 7-2,17-3 27-5 and a 14 seed and a wasted opportunity at a 12 because of a garbage schedule This team is deep,big and has starters coming back, never before on a cluess team. If 3 newbies are good and 3 aren't we r still the best team in the maac by far and it doesn't matter which ones. We can start: Gist Perez Crawford Risto Agee Nic on the bench and we probably come in at least 3rd.
We still have a scholly for the first big time player that would like to transfer here.
Last Edit: Aug 27, 2019 22:28:21 GMT -5 by iona1970
Pin this thread until after season is over. Think it has all the makings to be Cluess’ best — and perhaps THE best, in Iona history.
Long way to go to surpass 79-80 and 78-79, as well as 97-98.
You’re right, and better to wait and see, but I think this team has all the makings to be right up there with the best of those teams. Of course they have to go execute now, but I’m just saying that they have the ingredients in place to match those teams pound for pound.
79-80 is a different level with NCAA tourney win and multiple wins over ranked teams. Only knock on that team would be that they didn’t have a big NCAA win (they won essentially a play in game when it was a 48 team tourney and then lost next round), but agree that it will be very difficult for any Iona team to surpass this team.
78-79 was 23-6 with only a few quality wins and didn’t win a NCAA game. Don’t see any reason why this team can’t be right up there with them on paper.
97-98 had the longest win streak in the country, but other than that had no quality wins and didn’t win a NCAA game. Again, a great team but no reason why on paper this team can’t match them.
This team is in the post-Big East era unlike the first two teams. It’s a much more competitive environment and more difficult for a school like Iona to be relevant nationally nowadays. If an Iona team today can ever win a NCAA game I think it would be a more impressive feat now than it was back then, and they would have to go to the head of the list IMO (assuming we have a big regular season along the way).
So many things have to fall in place, but my point is that this team has all of the ingredients to do it. All of TC’s other teams, as great as they’ve been, have had a hole or two — size, depth, experience, etc. This team has no holes on paper, so it should be a fun season.
Long way to go to surpass 79-80 and 78-79, as well as 97-98.
You’re right, and better to wait and see, but I think this team has all the makings to be right up there with the best of those teams. Of course they have to go execute now, but I’m just saying that they have the ingredients in place to match those teams pound for pound.
79-80 is a different level with NCAA tourney win and multiple wins over ranked teams. Only knock on that team would be that they didn’t have a big NCAA win (they won essentially a play in game when it was a 48 team tourney and then lost next round), but agree that it will be very difficult for any Iona team to surpass this team.
78-79 was 23-6 with only a few quality wins and didn’t win a NCAA game. Don’t see any reason why this team can’t be right up there with them on paper.
97-98 had the longest win streak in the country, but other than that had no quality wins and didn’t win a NCAA game. Again, a great team but no reason why on paper this team can’t match them.
This team is in the post-Big East era unlike the first two teams. It’s a much more competitive environment and more difficult for a school like Iona to be relevant nationally nowadays. If an Iona team today can ever win a NCAA game I think it would be a more impressive feat now than it was back then, and they would have to go to the head of the list IMO (assuming we have a big regular season along the way).
So many things have to fall in place, but my point is that this team has all of the ingredients to do it. All of TC’s other teams, as great as they’ve been, have had a hole or two — size, depth, experience, etc. This team has no holes on paper, so it should be a fun season.
Just saying--long way to go. Think you undervalue 78-79 team which beat 2 NCAA teams and lost to Final Four Penn in the NCAAs. Schedule this year will likely not allow for anything like that to happen. Current team has unbelievable potential--they just need to take care of business with the weak teams on this schedule--no hiccups OOC. Also needs to match or beat team record of 17 MAAC wins.
You’re right, and better to wait and see, but I think this team has all the makings to be right up there with the best of those teams. Of course they have to go execute now, but I’m just saying that they have the ingredients in place to match those teams pound for pound.
79-80 is a different level with NCAA tourney win and multiple wins over ranked teams. Only knock on that team would be that they didn’t have a big NCAA win (they won essentially a play in game when it was a 48 team tourney and then lost next round), but agree that it will be very difficult for any Iona team to surpass this team.
78-79 was 23-6 with only a few quality wins and didn’t win a NCAA game. Don’t see any reason why this team can’t be right up there with them on paper.
97-98 had the longest win streak in the country, but other than that had no quality wins and didn’t win a NCAA game. Again, a great team but no reason why on paper this team can’t match them.
This team is in the post-Big East era unlike the first two teams. It’s a much more competitive environment and more difficult for a school like Iona to be relevant nationally nowadays. If an Iona team today can ever win a NCAA game I think it would be a more impressive feat now than it was back then, and they would have to go to the head of the list IMO (assuming we have a big regular season along the way).
So many things have to fall in place, but my point is that this team has all of the ingredients to do it. All of TC’s other teams, as great as they’ve been, have had a hole or two — size, depth, experience, etc. This team has no holes on paper, so it should be a fun season.
Just saying--long way to go. Think you undervalue 78-79 team which beat 2 NCAA teams and lost to Final Four Penn in the NCAAs. Schedule this year will likely not allow for anything like that to happen. Current team has unbelievable potential--they just need to take care of business with the weak teams on this schedule--no hiccups OOC. Also needs to match or beat team record of 17 MAAC wins.
Agreed. I used to place value in close NCAA losses, but no longer care. The history books only remember them as L's. 78-79 team should be in same conversation as all the other 20+ win Iona teams who didn't win a game in the NCAAs. Unless there are a few statement wins on the resume, it's hard to put them on a pedestal above all the others. 79-80 team is a completely different story.