Who is iona basketball

The season is Rick Pitino's first season coaching the Iona men's basketball team. Iona men's basketball: Rick Pitino returning to college basketball as new Iona coach.

Rick Pitino served as the Kentucky Wildcats head coach from It beat Syracuse in the national title game. Louisville had Pitino as its head coach from He also took Louisville to the Final Four in and After the Black and Gold took a lead early in the second half, both teams exchanged buckets, resulting in a tie with left to play. The Mountaineers went on to hit just two more field goals throughout the rest of the game.

This lack of scoring was due in part to the Iona defense blocking nine Mountaineer shot attempts. The Mountaineers shot better from the free throw line during the second half, knocking down seven out of 11 free throw attempts. They struggled to get shots to fall from the field though, shooting 9-for in the second half and 1-for from three.

This is his first year with The Appalachian. Emma Reilly digs up App State record books. Cultural Advisory Board discusses upcoming events, new initiatives.

Congressional candidate Beach-Ferrara visits campus. Cancel reply. Your email address will not be published. Submit Search. The patented Pitino Press will be back — Before arriving at Iona, Pitino's college basketball teams had been known for its full-court pressure and high-intensity press. It was only used once in Pitino's first year, but with a full offseason to train and install concepts, expect the Gaels to use it more once they get healthy. Just being able to move, I feel lighter on my feet, and just the way he wants to play up and down.

Turnover troubles — It was an area that nagged the Gaels last season, and they struggled with taking care of the ball once again on Saturday. As a team, they coughed the ball up 21 times. Last season, the Gaels had the th-worst turnover rate in the country, losing the ball on Keep an eye on Ryan Myers — He got praise from Pitino last year and played a good amount as a freshman.

His fearlessness and maturity persisted as a first-year player, but now he seems to have upgraded his game across the board, especially on the scoring end. He can score from anywhere and was comfortable with creating his own shot and even making off-balanced ones. He thinks, scores, I've been very happy with Ryan.

His defense is not great, but offensively, I'm very happy with him. Higher percentage shots — Last season, the Gaels averaged Against Adelphi, Iona seemed content with taking less threes.

It was clearly able to shoot well, finishing It only had 10 attempted threes after the first 33 minutes of action. We can be a good offensive team, that doesn't concern me. I am very concerned about the defense and I've been that way since Greece.