This was NOT the way Kevin Willard wanted his first season as a head coach to come to an end.

Iona made great strides under Willard in his first year, going from an injury-riddled 2-28 final Jeff Ruland season to a 12-19 regular-season finish, and from two conference wins to eight. Significant steps.

Part of the improvement, of course, came from players who were hurt or otherwise unavailable the previous season coming back. However, wins are wins and the move was just that, a move back to respectability for a program that just won the league title two seasons ago.

But it all came to an end when Iona, a seventh seed in the MAAC tournament, was dropped by No. 10 Canisius.

"We're looking forward to getting into postseason play," Willard said before the tournament.

Oops.

The Gaels lose forward Dexter Gray and guard Kyle Camper but will get forward Alejo Rodriguez back with three years of eligibility remaining after he missed the season with back surgery. They also pick up a couple of transfers from Big East schools and were having a strong recruiting season.

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