NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — The Iona Gaels have made waves this offseason, becoming the first team in the MAAC to finalize their roster. Mid-Major Madness sat down with head coach Dan Geriot at the Hynes Athletic Center to break down the squad, the strategy behind building it, and what fans can expect when the season tips off.

When asked to describe each player in just one word, Geriot smiled—but the real insights came when he dug into the roster construction process. "Last year, we had to throw it together quickly," he admitted. "This time, retention was the first priority, followed closely by role definition." He explained that the previous season was a challenge because so many new faces made it difficult to assign clear roles. "We were trying to get skill and decision-making, but we took a bit of everything because we were blending different backgrounds. This year, we defined roles much earlier in the recruiting process, both through retention and the transfer portal."

One area where the Gaels look especially strong is in the paint. With Keyshawn Mitchell joining returning big man Alliou, Geriot sees a unique advantage in the MAAC. "Last year, our best defensive stretches came when Alliou was in that free, instinctual role. We think Keyshawn can do the same at a high level," he said. "Together, they should protect the paint and the rim much better than we did before. Having both means we don't have to rely on just one guy for the whole game, which was a challenge last season."

Both players also fit Geriot's preferred transition-heavy offense, making them a dual threat on both ends of the floor. For Iona fans, this offseason stability and strategic roster building could be the foundation for a deep run in the MAAC standings.