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By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
2006 NCAA Tournament Capsule: Iona
Iona Gaels (23-7)
Metro
Atlantic: 2nd, 13-5
RPI: 61
AP: na
Big Wins:
at Iowa St (89-72), at Fordham (71-70), at Fresno St (70-69)
Bad Losses:
Manhattan (68-87), St. Peter’s (72-76), Siena (76-82)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2001, First Round
 Top
Players:
Steve Burtt, Sr,
G, 25.1 ppg, 2.6 apg
Ricky Soliver,
Sr, G, 16.3 ppg, 4.6 apg
Kiril Wachsmann,
Sr, F, 11.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg
Marvin
McCullough, Sr, G, 6.7 ppg, 4.4 1pg
Besides a few
home losses to top tier teams in the MAAC, the Gaels have had a strong
season. Iona thrives in a combination of a couple of my favorite
statistical categories. They only take 6.3 three-pointers per game, yet
they make nearly 41% of those shots. For a team that has success making the
long ball, they won’t force them up if they don’t have to. Steve Burtt is a
prolific scorer and fellow backcourt mate Ricky Soliver isn’t far behind.
The frontcourt is led by Kiril Wachsmann, yet there is some depth with
Anthony Bruin and Gary Springer. Wachsmann is the scoring threat of the big
guys and will have to handle most of the work on the glass. Turnovers and
free-throw shooting are a couple more areas that Coach Jeff Ruland needs to
keep under control if he hopes for an upset in the first round.
Likely
Finish: First Round
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