Lions to open 2011-12 season at UCLA

The LMU Athletics Department announced today that the men's basketball team will open its 2011-12 season by facing cross-town rival UCLA on Nov. 11.

"Any time you have the opportunity to play a program with a history of success, you take it," Head Coach Max Good said in the press release. "Then add to the fact that it is UCLA, who is the standard-barer of success in college basketball, who resides in our same backyard of Southern California, will make for a fantastic opportunity for our program and players."

The two teams last met in December of 2009, in the midst of LMU's 3-25 season. UCLA won by the score of 75-44. The November game will be the 18th meeting between the Lions and the Bruins.

UCLA's Pauley Pavilion will be shut down for renovation, so the game will be played at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. UCLA will host Pepperdine two weeks later.