10 teams who could make a Cinderella run in March Madness
9. Iona
It鈥檚 hard to bet against a team coached by Rick Pitino, and Iona will again be a popular upset pick with the right matchup should the Gaels hear their name called on Selection Sunday. Iona is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament, as the program has made 10 appearances in the 鈥渂ig dance鈥� in the 21st Century, including six under former head coach Tim Cluess. Pitino took the Gaels back to the tournament in 2021 where they played a close game with Alabama before being upset in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) last season at the hands of Saint Peter鈥檚.聽
This year, the 23-7 Gaels have gotten back on track thanks to a nice young core that features sophomore guard Walter Clayton Jr., junior guard Daniss Jenkins, and 6-foot-9 junior forward Nelly Junior Joseph. Not surprisingly, Pitino鈥檚 squad plays tight defense and can also keep pace scoring the ball, as evidenced throughout its current 10-game win streak. If the MAAC regular-season champs can get the job done in the conference tourney this time around, they could be as good of a bet as any to pull off an opening-round upset.
The Hynes Center is loving the hustle from the Gaels! |
— Iona Men鈥檚 Basketball (@IonaGaelsMBB)