The ESPN Events Invitational hasn’t been particularly kind to Kansas. After the Jayhawks sleepwalked through a 12 point win over a North Texas team that couldn’t hit threes, Kansas built up a similar type of lead over Dayton, only suffer the season’s first loss when the Fliers stormed back in a way UNT couldn’t. Today, they take on another mid-major in the Iona Gaels, coached by none other than Rick Pitino.
Most fans expected to be playing in the Invitational’s Final against Alabama today. Obviously part of the reason they aren’t is the loss to Dayton, but another reason is that this Iona team took Bama out of the winners’ bracket on Thursday.