One half of Iona’s dynamic backcourt, Sean Armand, is seen here shooting a jumper against Manhattan College. Iona’s firepower from its guard positions could make it a tough matchup for anyone in the nation.
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While Armand and Momo Jones get the headlines at the guard positions, forward Taaj Ridley provides a strong presence in the low post on both ends of the floor.
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Tavon Sledge provides even more quickness and firepower as the third guard in Iona’s rotation.
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LaMont “Momo” Jones is the nation’s third-leading scorer, averaging 23.0 points per game, and can be a complete game-changer for the Gaels as they make another attempt at a tournament run.
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Iona’s Tim Cluess has his team in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year and has become one of the area’s finest coaches.
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Iona forward David Laury is embraced by teammate Tre Bowman after beating Manhattan during the 2013 MAAC Championship, which earned the Gaels the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
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Iona is not the only local team that is dancing. LIU Brooklyn’s Jamal Olasewere ,left, Booker Hucks,center, and Jason Brickman, right, pose for a photograph as they celebrate their third consecutive NEC trophy, earning a third-straight bid into the field of 68.
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What makes the Blackbirds’ run that much more impressive is that it came without Julian Boyd, one of the team’s best players. Boyd missed almost all of the 2012-13 season after tearing his ACL.
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LIU Brooklyn’s Jason Brickman is one of the stars of a Blackbirds team that will face James Madison in the play-in round of the NCAA tournament.
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LIU Brooklyn’s C.J. Garner celebrates after hitting a trey. Garner provides the Blackbirds with a legitimate threat from beyond the arc.
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Just one year after taking over for Jim Ferry, Jack Perri has the Blackbirds back in the NCAA tournament after winning the NEC championship.
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Blackbirds forward and NEC Player of the Year, Jamal Olasewere will be the key for LIU-Brooklyn if it hopes to advance in the NCAA tournament.
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