NCDS: Dan McHale, Asst. Coach - Iona

By: Dan McHale, Asst. Coach - Iona

I say it every year, but it truly amazes me how fast the season goes.  I feel like I was just writing my first entry about playing in the Old Spice Classic in Disney World and now it’s already March and the season is over for the Gaels.  We had a great year but I won’t lie, our MAAC tournament loss to Niagara last week still stings. 

Our kids played their hearts out and it was a tough way to send off our two seniors, Milan Prodanovic and Jonathan Huffman.  Both should be proud of their accomplishments, especially Milan who has helped lead the rebirth of Iona Basketball – from two wins as a freshman the season before Coach Willard came to New Rochelle, to this season where we won 21 games.   I guess if you would have told me in the beginning of the year that we would go 21-10, beat a Big East team (Providence), take a team that is a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament to overtime (Baylor), and that Coach Willard would win MAAC Coach of the Year honors, I guess I would take it.

In my opinion, we had such a successful year because we were able to teach a collection of kids the importance of “We over Me”.  I think we were one of the most balanced teams in the country.  We ended up with only one player averaging double-digit points and 10 guys playing double-digit minutes.  We were an opposing team’s nightmare to scout.  We had a different guy step up each night and so often had a kid who might not be on the scouting report drop 20 at any given time.  It was such a close knit team that playing time and jealousy really never came into play.  Our guys knew that when their name was called, they better make the most of their opportunity.  It was great to see so many different guys cheering on their teammates when it was their night.

Unfortunately every season has to come to an end and I would be lying if I said that our team wasn’t disappointed that we weren’t invited to one of the “three-letter invitational” tournaments.  With an impressive 21-win resume, some quality non-conference wins, and an RPI of 86, it leaves us scratching our heads about what we had to do to make the postseason or what the organizers of these tournaments use for their selection criteria.  But just like being picked pre-season ninth (out of 10) in the conference this year, I’m quite sure that our returning guys will use this “snub” as motivation towards our ultimate goal next year.  

Best of luck to everyone who is still playing and enjoy the ride!  See you on the recruiting trail.

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