Iona’s dance with St. John’s a teaching moment for Gaels with MAAC return on horizon

Even after 27-point loss to St. John’s, Iona showed positive signs against Johnnies that will bode well for Gaels with return to MAAC play approaching. (Photo by Iona Athletics)

NEW YORK — Saturday’s 91-64 final score would suggest Iona was overmatched as the Gaels faced off against St. John’s, but for 26 minutes at Madison Square Garden, the possibility of an upset was very much alive.

As CJ Anthony fueled the Gaels’ fight against the bigger, stronger Red Storm, Iona (8-4, 1-1 MAAC) remained within earshot before St. John’s found its offensive rhythm and used a flurry of threes to get separation and ultimately pull away down the stretch. But as Dan Geriot pointed out after the game, the experience had its share of building blocks for his team to construct a sturdier foundation as the year progresses.

“A big piece to me as well, playing in these games and winning so many when I played at Richmond, our first halves, we were able to stack it together,” Geriot shared. “I had to experience that in a lot of negative ways first. I’m so proud of our guys because the fact that I can coach them on that part of it, like, ‘hey, we should have been up more in the first half,’ shows where we were competitiveness and talent-wise.” 

“I think that was a big piece for us trying to put this team together. We’ve obviously had success and been fortunate in that regard. Then when you look at the second halves, you’re seeing yourself in one, two, three-possession games for a majority of it.”

While the final margin tells the main story, the numbers within the numbers explain a different, yet equally important tale. Iona outscored the Johnnies in the paint, 38-36, and also forced 17 turnovers against a team that had defeated each of its mid-major opponents by 30 or more points thus far this year.

“I think the big piece is to continue to understand what the paint looks like for us,” Geriot said. “We’re a very unique team, we play eleven guys pretty consistently (as) spacers, handlers and bigs. What each spacing set looks like is where we’re headed, and it’s getting pretty clear to us.”

“They made us play a different way in the paint than we had been playing previously, which is good for us. I think it’s an experience we’re going to love when we look back on this season and enjoy it. Right now, it hurts, it stings, but I think we understand what we need to do to make our progress go and make our process improve.”

One player who has expedited the learning curve has been Kosy Akametu. The junior, who transferred from Santa Clara in the offseason, has been primarily used to space the floor in the Gaels’ four-out attack, but since returning from injury against Quinnipiac last week, has regained momentum and even though only scoring 10 points against St. John’s, has improved with each turn in the rotation.

“I thought it was great,” Geriot said of Akametu’s effort. “I tell him all the time, when you have that ability to get to the paint like that, it’s gotta be instinctual to put pressure on the rim. I know he’s trying to really feel out the rhythm with the shooting, and he played in a different lineup today, which was good. I thought that was beneficial for us going forward, and I like where he’s at.” 

“I love that kid. He’s so able to put together what we’re after and what trying to progress him in, and he’s able to marry that up with the gameplay and that was good for us, I think, going forward.”

Iona has one more tuneup before returning to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, taking on Vermont one week from Saturday. This result notwithstanding, the Gaels appear to be hitting their stride defensively again, something Geriot feels makes his group a more cohesive unit.

“Our defense really showed up, especially early on,” he said. “I think they’re starting to understand the process of what we’re after. Piggybacking off the Bryant game, those were two big steps for us, and obviously Sacred Heart as well on Sunday. I feel our process progressing, which is, I think, crucial for this time of year and where we’re headed.”

“In our process, it’s a good thing for us. We competed on the defensive boards, we outscored them in the paint, so now it’s about looking at the film and seeing where our process goes from there.”