Men's basketball releases non-conference schedule

The LMU Athletics Department released its men's basketball 2011-12 non-conference schedule today. Along with the schedule announcement, season tickets are also now available.

Games at UCLA and Florida state highlight the slate.

As reported earlier, the Lions will host a tournament in early December, and it was reported today that it will be called the 2011 Centennial Classic. It is the first tournament held in Gersten Pavilion for the Lions since the 1992-93 season.

"We are very excited to be hosting a tournament at home this season," said Head Coach Max Good in the press release. "The tournament is a great way to add to our home schedule, one in which this season is a tough one. Add to that trips to UCLA, Idaho State, Florida State and Morgan State, and we have a schedule that will really challenge us and help us prepare for a WCC schedule that just got a whole heck of a lot tougher."

WCC play will then begin a week earlier this year (with the addition of BYU to the conference), with conference action starting Dec. 29.

Find more information here.

Bruin suspended for game against Lions

UCLA men's basketball player Jerime Anderson was arrested last, and according to the UCLA Athletics Department has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities and at least for the 2011-12 season-opener against Loyola Marymount (Nov. 11).

The senior point guard was arrested on campus by University Police and was charged with suspicion of grand theft in connection with the theft of a laptop.

While only averaging 5.1 points per game last season, Anderson was second on the team in steals and third in assists.

Lions pursue class of 2013 point guard

It seems the Lions are recruiting Jaylen Brantley, a point guard from the class of 2013. Brantley is from Springfield, MA, and attends Wilbraham & Monson Academy High School. The 5'10", 150lb guard is the 53rd ranked point guard in his class, according to ESPN.com. 

The website lists Brantley's strengths as being his decision making and "lights out three-point shooting" 
and his weaknesses as being his size and lack of explosiveness.

Update: According to therecruitscoop.com, Missouri, Louisville, Richmond, Virginia, Loyola Marymount, Iowa State & Rhode Island have all made offers to Brantley.

Lions to host tournament in December

LMU will host a tournament at Gersten Pavilion the first weekend in December. As reported earlier, the Lions will host Columbia Friday, December 2. Also joining LMU and Columbia at the tournament will be La Sierra University and North Texas.

LMU will face La Sierra on Day 2 of the tournament at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3.

Women's team receives verbal commitment

The women's basketball team received a tough blow earlier this summer, when WCC Newcomer of the Year Camille Buckley decided to leave the program. The team received some good news recently, however, as it gained a verbal commitment from Deanna Johnson, class of 2012.

Johnson is a 5'8" PG from Norco, CA. You can view her ESPN profile here.

Lions will play home-and-home with Idaho State

As I reported in June, the Lions will host Idaho State this season. It has been confirmed today, however, that LMU will also travel to Idaho State, as the two teams will play a home-and-home two-game series this season.

LMU will play at Idaho State on November 23. The Lions will then host the Bengals Saturday, December 10.

The known games on the 2011-12 schedule are now as follow:

Nov. 11 @ UCLA
Nov. ?? vs. St. Joseph's University
Nov. 23 @ Idaho State
Dec. 2 vs. Columbia
Dec. 10 vs. Idaho State

LMU to host Columbia

Another game on the 2011-12 schedule has been released, as it was announced today by the LMU Athletics Department that the men's basketball team will host Columbia on Friday, December 2 at 7 p.m.

The Columbia Lions finished last season with a 15-13 record, going 6-8 in the Ivy League.

The game is part of the school's LMUat100 centennial celebration, and will feature special promotions as well as a look back at the team's history at LMU, and the student-athletes and coaches who have made it a rich part of LMU's past.

Lions extend offer to 2012 recruit Kethan Savage

Courtesy of Rivals.com

The Lions have made an offer to 2012 recruit Kethan Savage, according to a report today from NBE Basketball. The 6’3 shooting guard out of Episcopal (VA) has been given a Scouts Grade of 90 by ESPN, and is listed as the 28th best shooting guard in his class.

The 6'3 guard is 190lbs and is known to have a good basketball IQ. According to the report, Savage also holds offers from Towson, Duquesne, Farifield, and has heard from Penn State, Virginia and Iowa. He has already made visits to Virginia, Towson, Duquesne and Loyola Marymount.

“I might be going to Penn State in the near future and that’s probably about it,” Savage said of upcoming trips, adding that he may visit Virginia again as well.

New WCC logo

BYU officially joined the West Coast Conference at 11 a.m. today and with it, the conference rolled out a new brand identity. The logo is below.

If I'm being honest, it's a bit underwhelming in my opinion ...

What does everyone think?