No. 10 Alabama vs Iona: Game preview, TV schedule

Game Preview: No. 10 Alabama vs Iona

When: Thursday, November 25 at 5:00 pm ET on ESPN/ESPN2

Location: HP Field House, Orlando, FL

A rematch from the first round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago, Alabama and Iona meet in a must-see first round matchup of the 2021 ESPN Events Invitational.

The Crimson Tide come into this game undefeated at 4-0, and stretch that includes an impressive 86-59 win over Oakland last Friday night. In what was the Crimson Tide’s third 85+ point performance of the season, Alabama shot 43.3% from the field, while also having four scorers in double-figures led by Jaden Shackelford with 20.

The No. 10 ranked Crimson Tide come into this game averaging a phenomenal 89 PPG for the season, as well as only allowing 69.8 PPG to opponents. Not only does the previously mentioned Shackelford lead the Crimson Tide in scoring at 19.5 PPG, but Alabama also has three others averaging in double-figures, a group that includes Keon Ellis who is averaging 14.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 2.3 SPG on 51.5%/42.1%/88.9% shooting.

Iona also sits at an undefeated 5-0 to start year No. 2 under head coach Rick Pitino, and are coming-off an 81-65 win last Saturday over North Alabama. A dominant performance in the second half from Iona, the Gaels shot a phenomenal 9-for-14 (64.3%) from three-point range in the contest, as well as having four scorers in double-figures.

The Gaels are expected to be one of the top teams in the MAAC this season, and already own a few impressive wins over Liberty, Appalachian State, and Harvard. Averaging 74.4 PPG, the Gaels are led by the duo of Nelly Junior Joseph (16.6 PPG and 7.2 RPG) and SMU transfer Tyson Jolly (16 PPG, 5 RPG), while others such as Dylan van Eyck, Quinn Slazinski, and Elijah Joiner also play prominent roles.

In what will be the Crimson Tide’s first game outside of Coleman Coliseum this season, the Gaels present a tough matchup for Alabama, but are also an opponent they are familiar with as the Crimson Tide defeated Iona 68-55 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago. While multiple prominent players from that game are now gone, both teams also return a few key players from the last meeting such as Shackelford, Quinerly, Junior Joseph, and more.

Both teams are strong three-point shooting teams, as well as strong on the defensive end. This will likely be a close game in the first half, with an Alabama run in the second half allowing the Crimson Tide to pull away.

Prediction: Alabama 75, Iona 64