Iona vs. Kansas: Viewing Guide and Predictions for Tuesday's Game

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks will host the unranked Iona Gaels. This matchup will feature some of the biggest names in all of college basketball in a proverbial David versus Goliath game.

So, how can you watch Iona challenge Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse?

Date	Time (ET)	TV	Live Stream
Tuesday, Nov. 19	8:00 p.m.	N/A	ESPN3

Player to Watch: Sean Armand, Iona Gaels

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Senior

2013-14 Season Averages: 35.0 MPG, 18.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 41.7% 3PT

Sean Armand of the Iona Gaels is one of the more underrated mid-major players in the country. The 6'5", 200-pound Brooklyn native made a major leap in 2012-13, developing into a well-rounded scorer and averaging 16.6 points per game.

In 2013-14, he's picking up where he left off.

Through two games, Armand is averaging 18.5 points on a slash line of .520/.417/.750. He's continued to emerge as one of the best three-point shooters in the nation, and he'll have the opportunity to make a statement going up against Kansas.

His NBA draft stock could see a major rise if he succeeds.

Armand led the MAAC with an obscene 112 three-point field goals made during the 2012-13 season. He's already made five through two games in 2013-14, and that opens the door for him to shoot the lights out again against Kansas.

If Iona is to stand any chance at pulling out the upset, Armand will need to be at his best.

Player to Watch: Perry Ellis, Kansas Jayhawks

Position: Forward

Class: Sophomore

2013-14 Season Averages: 32.0 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG

I don't need to tell you to watch freshman phenom Andrew Wiggins, so I'm not going to. Instead, the college basketball community should open its eyes and look at another breakout performer on the Kansas roster: Perry Ellis.

Ellis has gone from a quality reserve as a freshman to a potential star as a sophomore.

Through two games, Ellis is averaging 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He dropped 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks against UL Monroe and erupted for 24 points, nine boards and three steals against Duke.

In his third game of the year, we'll get a look at which performance will be more common.

Ellis doesn't need to drop 20-plus points every night, but if he can remain a double-double threat, Kansas will be hard to defeat. Wiggins is a superstar, Wayne Selden Jr. has star potential, and Naadir Tharpe can facilitate, but the Jayhawks need an interior presence.

Watch this game to see if Ellis can become that force for Kansas on a full-time basis.

Prediction

Iona will fight hard against an opponent that is being labeled as overwhelmingly superior. Unfortunately for the Gaels, that label is accurate, and Kansas is even more dangerous when it's playing at home.

This one could get ugly.

Armand's three-point marksmanship will keep things close in the first half, but the Jayhawks will turn on the jets during the final 20 minutes. Wiggins and Selden Jr. are too powerful a perimeter tandem, and Ellis is a force on the glass.

By controlling time of possession, Kansas will take over on the scoreboard.

The issue Kansas could run into involves its interior defense. Marvin Williams of UL Monroe and Jabari Parker of Duke had their way at the rim, and David Laury of Iona could have similar success, with current averages of 17.0 points and 8.5 rebounds.

In the end, Armand and Laury's admirable efforts won't be enough, and Wiggins and Co. will take over in the final 20 minutes. Kansas wins.

Kansas 85, Iona 67