PROVIDENCE — Providence College basketball fans have seen teams like the Iona Gaels at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center before.
To the Friars’ credit, they try to schedule several nonleague games against teams they feel will contend for a conference championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Following in the footsteps of teams like Belmont, Rider, Stony Brook, Vermont and Harvard from the last few seasons are the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference powerhouse Gaels.
In coach Tim Cluess’ eight seasons, Iona has won 20 or more games every season. The Gaels played in the last three NCAA tourneys and in five of the last seven overall.