Basketball seasons are long and grueling endeavors. The Iona College men’s basketball team recently announced its 2013-2014 schedule.

The defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions will embark on their journey to a third straight appearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament on Nov. 9 at Cleveland State.

The Maroon & Gold will play their home-opener on Nov. 16 against Wofford.

The Gaels will then go to Lawrence, Kan. to play the Kansas Jayhawks on Nov. 19. The Jayhawks have been a top-three seed in the NCAA Tournament each of the past seven seasons.

“I’m excited playing Kansas with the potential first pick in the NBA Draft,” said senior guard Sean Armand, referring to Kansas’ freshman sensation Andrew Wiggins.

After tilting with the Jayhawks, Iona will return home to play George Mason on Nov. 23. They will then hit the road again and go to Florida Gulf Coast, last season’s NCAA Tournament Cinderella.

Iona opens their 20-game MAAC schedule with Marist at home on Dec. 4. The Gaels will then travel to Fairfield.

The Maroon & Gold’s last four games of the calendar year will finish up the non-conference portion of the schedule. They host St. Bonaventure and then travel to Dayton, Nevada and Northern Iowa.

Iona will start the bulk of the MAAC schedule on Jan. 2 at MAAC newcomer Quinnipiac. The Gaels have a MAAC Championship rematch with the Manhattan Jaspers at home on Jan. 31. The Maroon & Gold close the regular season at home on March 2 against Rider.

Iona will defend its MAAC title from Mar. 7-10 at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

“[It’s] another tough schedule for us, but it’s exactly what we want,” Armand said.