Team Preview: Loyola Marymount

 

 

LMU is to me, one of the most intriguing teams in the WCC year after year.  Each year I look at the talent on their team and realize that I am scared to play them…and each year at the end of the season, I am perplexed that they were unable to pull it all together. 

They have talent – Anthony Ireland has been a great guard the last few years, and the dynamic duo in the frontcourt with Ashley Hamilton and Drew Viney were formidable, but the talent has never translated into making them a leader in the West Coast Conference.  They are one of those teams that you know can be dangerous, and their poor RPI and SOS (109/111 respectively in 2012) can really hurt at the end of the year should you lose to them. 

At the beginning of last season, LMU pulled off wins over UCLA, and then St. Louis, but the rest of their season was mediocre – landing them a spot in the CIT Post Season Tournament where they lost in the quarterfinals to Utah State.

Season Record

2011-12: 21-13 (11-5 in conference)

Statistical Leaders

Points: Anthony Ireland 16.1

Rebounds: Drew Viney 5.5

Assists: Anthony Ireland 4.9

Outgoing Players

Drew Viney

LaRon Armstead

Tim Diederichs

Daniel Latimer

Kelsey Chine

The loss of Drew Viney will hurt Loyola Marymount this year.  The team leader in rebounds in 2012 with 5.5rpg, was also second on the team in points with 15.2ppg and hit over 81% from the Charity Stripe. 

LaRon Armstead will also be missed off the bench with 8ppg, and 2.8rpg.

Incoming Players

Nick Stover: Small Forward out of Los Angeles, California.  Scout grade of 90 (3 stars).

According to an ESPN Analyst - “Stover is a crafty scorer from all three levels and he isn't afraid to take the big shot. He can post up and display his go-to turn-around jump shot or step outside and get buckets due to his feathery outside touch.”

Taj Adams: Small Forward out of Los Angeles, California.  Scout grade of 82 (2 stars).

Chase Flint: Guard – JUCO Transfer from College of Eastern Utah

JUCO Accolades:

All-Region 18 First Team

NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention Team.

USU-Eastern's Athlete of the Year

Marin Mornar – Freshman Forward out of Zagreb, Croatia.

Schedule:

Loyola Marymount’s schedule, once again, leaves a lot to be desired.  Their toughest non-conference opponents include: Oral Roberts, Long Beach State, and St. Louis.  In conference play, they face a tough opening weekend, kicking off against BYU and then SMC in their first two games.

Coaching Situation:

Looking at the Lions achievements the past few years, it is hard to consider them a successful program; however, Max Good has helped build the program, as evidenced by the below:

2011-2012 – first 20-win season since Elite Eight Team of 1989-90.

2011-2012 – 11-5 record is best since 1989-90.

2011-2012 – Quarterfinals of CIT, earned first post season victory since 1989-90.

Last three seasons: Lions are 4-4 against ranked opponents, including 3-2 in 2011-12 (second only to 1989-90 team). 

LMU may not be the most successful program in the WCC, but Max Good will keep his job based on the progression the team has made.

Expectations:

I don’t expect the Loyola Marymount Lions to overthrow the top three big dogs in the WCC: Gonzaga, SMC, BYU.  I think they can easily achieve 4^th of 5^th in the conference once again, but with the loss of Drew Viney and with the poor strength of schedule, any higher would be a huge surprise.  For now, I may just continue to fear dropping a game to this wily team, but I project a mediocre season once again with a possible berth in one of the lower level post season tournaments.