By Joe Budzelek
Comparing this March to last year’s, Gael Nation’s enthusiasm and optimism entering the last week of the MAAC regular season is in a much greener pasture.
Tobin Anderson’s first February with Iona started to sour following a failed comeback attempt visiting a lowly Canisius squad in Buffalo. The following week, Greg Gordon, Iona’s leading scorer, suddenly left the team. In his absence, a three-game became the nadir of a six-game sputter with the Gaels losing five games between February 18th and March 1st.
The vibes are much brighter this time around.
No, it hasn’t been perfect, but Iona’s compass is heading in the right direction, both on the court, in the standings and on the recruiting trail.
Yes, the season could have turned south following Biggie Patterson’s absence from the team, but the Gaels have won nine of their last thirteen games without Patterson in the lineup. In his place, players like Yaphet Moundi – 13.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg in his last eight games – and Luke Jungers – scored double-digits in nine of the last thirteen games – have stepped up with more playing time.
With former starting guard Christian Winborne missing the last four games due to injury, sophomore Comeh Emuobor has been a factor over the last four games, averaging 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1.3 three-pointers made per game. The breakout of the 6’5 205 Emuobor has provided Iona with a nice boost of physicality and size in the backcourt, with the Raleigh native splitting his time between the 3-guard and small-ball 4, pairing excellently with the playmaking of Dejour Reaves – 16.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 52.9 2P% in conference play – and Adam Njie Jr. – 12.1 ppg, 4.2 apg in conference play.
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| Iona freshman guard Adam Njie Jr. during their 82-to-52 win at Canisius on Sunday afternoon (photo credit: Iona University) |
Off the bench, more flavors are added to the ingredients of Iona’s elixir: Justin Menard provides three-point shooting and playmaking ability, Kernan Bundy brings his three-point shooting, motor and low-mistake IQ on offense while Jalen Barr brings grit and guile.
Overall, Iona’s roster may not match the overall talent level of last year’s squad, but the pieces work better together and there is more versatility to mix-and-match as the Gaels make their final preparations entering next week’s conference tournament in Atlantic City.
February was not only a month when Iona fans were able to dream about their growing cohesion and potential on the court, but the last few weeks provided excitement for the future.
On February 18th, Salt Lake Community College guard Ethan Copeland committed to Iona after previously receiving offers from Oakland, FIU, Stetson and Kansas City earlier this season. The 6’2 guard is currently ranked by JUCORecruiting.com as the #53 prospect in the class of ‘25 with the incoming junior currently averaging 15.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.2 three-pointers made per game.
This weekend, Tobin Anderson and his staff snared the first four-star recruit of his tenure, adding high school senior Deondrea Lindsey from the vaunted Oak Hill Academy. The 6’8 205 center is considered a “physically gifted frontcourt prospect with obvious upside” from 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein and Lindsey’s defensive potential is his most immediate trait as he continues to develop his offensive game.
Iona’s incoming freshman class also includes Sierra Canyon graduate Gavin Hightower, a consensus top-150 prospect that is touted as a “a true point guard, a floor general,” from SI’s Tarek Fattal. With the combo of Hightower and Lindsey, according to 247’s composite rankings, Iona is currently the only mid-major with two incoming top-150 prospects in the ‘25 senior class, setting up Anderson and his staff for, hopefully, their smoothest offseason to date.
Time will only tell if the recent momentum will yield success on the court, but spirits are getting higher in New Rochelle.
Great write up. Hope in New Rochelle after all!
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