LMU leads wire-to-wire in BracketBuster win

The Lions jumped out to an 8-0 advantage over Valparaiso Friday night and never looked back, eventually winning the Sears BracketBuster game 61-53.

It felt like LMU was in control of the game the entire night, and showed no letdown after the huge win over No. 16 Saint Mary's Wednesday. Sophomore point guard Anthony Ireland led the way with 19 points, while Ashley Hamilton continued his strong play from the second-half of the Gaels game to pitch in 12. LMU is now 18-10 on the season, and will host Santa Clara and San Diego later this week to close out the regular season.

Gersten Pavilion was packed for the game, which aired live on ESPNU, with more than 4,000 people in attendance. There was also a different mood in the building, as it almost seemed like, for the first time in years, that fans expected the Lions to win the game; a testament to how well the team is playing.

Despite scoring only nine points, Drew Viney was 4-7 from the field and definitely seems to have found his stroke. Center Godwin Okonji is also playing his best basketball of the season, and despite getting into foul trouble played a solid defensive game, pulled down five boards and had two steals. LMU outrebounded their opponent by 14.

In addition to leading the team in scoring, Ireland also led the team in rebounds with eight and assists with five.

LMU will now have a couple well-deserved days of rest before hosting the San Diego Toreros Thursday at 7 p.m. LMU defeated San Diego 79-68 on Jan. 7 behind a 20-point game from Viney. LMU has secured a top-4 spot in the WCC standings, but will look to challenge BYU for third by beating San Diego and then Santa Clara Saturday.

LMU wins first of three-game road trip

The Lions improved to 9-3 in conference play tonight with a 76-62 win over Portland. It was the second win over Portland in the past two weeks for LMU, who will now travel to Gonzaga for the second game of a three-game road trip Saturday. Gonzaga will be coming off of a huge win over No. 13 Saint Mary's.

The Lions used quite the team effort to win their season-high fourth-straight game, with five players scoring in double figures. Godwin Okonji had his biggest game of the season, adding 10 points and nine rebounds. Drew Viney contributed 16 points, while Anthony Ireland added 15. Freshman C.J. Blackwell had an impressive 11 points after playing zero first-half minutes. LaRon Armstead also came up big, scoring all 13 of his points after the break.

The win puts the Lions half a game in front of BYU in the conference standings, good enough for sole possession of third place. Tonight's win was also the first for LMU in Portland since 2006.

Lions flat against Florida State

Miss today's Florida State game? All you really need to know is that the Lions shot 35 percent from the field (and only 28 percent in the first half) and gave up 25 second-chance points. That's the reason they lost 77-61.

Florida State may have one of the strongest defenses in the nation, but that is not why the Lions shot such a low percentage. LMU consistently missed shots, many of them open looks, all afternoon. With Drew Viney and Ashley Hamilton both out of the game, Jarred DuBois' 1-10 from the field with six turnovers really didn't help. Anthony Ireland, C.J. Blackwell and LaRon Armstead were the only Lions to truly score in the game, which featured 11 different Lions on the court. Ireland led the way with 19, Blackwell had 14 while Armstead had 11.

Secondly, the Lions were once again out-rebounded, and it was Florida State's 21 offensive boards that really hurt, leading to the 25 second-chance points. The Semioles are clearly bigger, taller and more athletic, but the Lions did not do a good job under the basket trying to box out some of those bigger guys.

Ireland didn't start the game after being late to a team meeting. He did start the second half, and was the Lions' leading scorer. He also added four assists and four rebounds.

Godwin Okonji once against played limited minutes due to foul trouble, and Edgar Garibay didn't contribute anything positive in his 10 minutes of play. Florida State outscored LMU 38-12 in the paint.

The Lions will end their two-game road trip Wednesday when they face Morgan State. Game will tip-off at 4 p.m. and fans can listen live at lmulions.com.

Lions to face tough test in season opener

The wait is over for Lions fans to put last year's disappointing season behind them, as LMU will officially begin their 2011-12 season Friday at the L.A. Sports Arena when it takes on the UCLA Bruins. It definitely won't be an easy opener for the Lions, as UCLA has been selected by many to be one of the top 25 teams in the nation in preseason rankings.

The biggest challenge for LMU is going to be protecting the paint. The Bruins boast a huge lineup, with four roster players checking in at 6'10" or taller. The Lions, on the other hand, will be without one of their best rebounders, with Drew Viney likely sidelined for a couple more weeks. Godwin Okonji, Edgar Garibay, Tim Diederichs and Ashley Hamilton will have to show up big on the boards if the Lions want to have a chance to steal a "W" from their crosstown rivals.

The biggest thing the Lions have going for them, however, is the fact that they have a much more talented backcourt than the Bruins. Jarred DuBois and Anthony Ireland need to take over this game, and even out the fact that the Lions may get pounded inside by the Bruins big men's depth. To make matters easier for DuBois, Ireland and even freshman Bruce English is the fact that UCLA's Jerime Anderson is suspended for the game, meaning the Bruins will have even less manpower to try and stop the Lions speedy back court.

This past weekend, LMU scrimmaged a tough UNLV team (losing by single-digits), which I think was probably great preparation for Friday's game. Either way, it should be a good one. Game tips off Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Quotes from Good

For those who couldn't tune in, here are some quotes from LMU Basketball Head Coach Max Good from today's WCC Tip-Off event that I felt stood out.

• Concerning finding some offense while Drew Viney is out with his injury, Good said, "We're going to have to do that a little bit by committee. CJ Blackwell, JD DuBious, Anthony Ireland will have to step up along with all our post players. We have to get a little more out of each of them. From a pure shooting standpoint it'll be tough to replace him."
• About being picked to finish sixth in the pre-season coaches poll, Good said, " It's not one we're pleased with. We've got to prove them wrong. It's accurate based on our performance from last season."
• When asked if he expects to improve in terms of winning close games, Good said, " We not only expect it but we're going to demand it. We will be better at every phase of the game that we can control."

Furthermore, Good noted:

• Anthony Ireland has really improved his shooting, but still wants him to get the ball to other guys. He doesn't love the idea of the point guard position contributing a high percentage of the team's points.
• Quincy Lawson has been the pleasant surprise thus far this season in practice
• Admitted that he didn't deal with all the injuries well last year, and takes responsibility for the disappointing season
• Godwin Okonji will start at the center position

Thoughts from the Crimson/Navy Scrimmage

• Team camaraderie seems great. Of course, in a high-pressure, competitive setting is when this will be tested, but I was happy with what I saw today.
• Freshman C.J. Blackwell should be a contributor from day one. He has a nice mid-range jump shot, and has an ability to create space for a shot (very Drew Viney-like) that is very impressive for a freshman.
• I can't wait to see Anthony Ireland and Jarred DuBois play together. Jarred is more vocal than I remember him being, and Ireland will enter the season as a starter for the first time, which I think will really help him know his place. He is so quick and his ability to get to the hoop is beyond impressive.
• The big-men struggled a little offensively. Edgar Garibay, Godwin Okonji and Tim Diederichs had some trouble putting the ball in the hoop, a problem they also had last season.
• Ashley Hamilton was pretty MIA offensively, which surprised me. He played some solid defense though, and he had Godwin had a number of big-time blocked shots.
• Nice to see both Tobe Okafor and Nick Stover in attendance.

Up next, the Lions will play their lone exhibition game Tuesday, Nov. 1 against La Verne. Game starts at 7 p.m.

Looking Forward: Migraines and more

Drew Viney will be key to the Lions success in Vegas | Courtesy of Facebook

Another close loss last night. The final score is in no way indicative of the closeness of the game, as the Lions trailed by just four points with four minutes to play, and had numerous attempts to cut that lead down to two. Yet again, however, key turnovers cost the Lions from making a full-fledged comeback.

Junior leading scorer Drew Viney missed his second straight games with affects from migraines. Could the outcome of the game have been different if Viney had played? Definitely. Should we have been able to win that game without him? Definitely. Viney's name was spoken a lot in Gersten yesterday as fans were wondering "what if Viney had played last night," but let's not forget that Viney played when this team lost to San Diego, Pepperdine, and Santa Clara. The truth is with or without Viney in the lineup, this team has yet to play a full 40 minutes of basketball in any game this conference season.

But it is also clear that this team's offense runs so much better when Viney is on the floor (although to give credit where credit is due, the team played phenomenal defense last night in Viney's absence). 


After the game, Loyolan Sports Editor John Wilkinson spoke with Head Coach Max Good about Viney's current status. "He’s still got to see a neurologist [today]," said Good. "The [migraine] medication they thought was making him anemic and kind of weak.  It was like he was kind of tired and drained."

To read the full Loyolan story, click here.

And for those fans wondering why a migraine has kept Drew out of two and a half games this season, a close family member of his has chosen to explain that on the LMU Lions fan message board. I can assure you that this poster is close to the situation, but I will respect any privacy on their identity past that point.

So what does this mean for LMU? Well clearly, and unfortunately, the Lions will not play another meaningful until they step onto the court at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas in March. This conference regular season is a wash, and it is apparent that we will probably enter the tournament as the seventh seed. However, I still believe that while this team may have lost its chemistry and confidence, it has not lost its talent that we all believed was enough to win them a WCC Title. There is no reason this team can't string together a couple of exciting wins at the WCC Tournament. However, Lions fans have got to pray that Viney's migraine situation clears up by then, as he will be vital to any successes we have in Vegas.

Until then, the best we can hope for is to treat the remainder of this regular season as tournament prep. I would like to see Godwin Okonji and Edgar Garibay get big minutes, as they seem to have been improving each game and should play a huge factor at the Tourney. I would like to see a consistent rotation set in place by Head Coach Max Good, so that each and every player knows his role come WCC Tournament time. And lastly, I would like to see the mental mistakes begin to be eliminated from play. If that can happen, there is no doubt that LMU is just as good a team as any in Vegas. 

High school center sets visit to LMU

Despite behind amidst a disappointing season, LMU coaches are still working hard to set a bright future in place for the Lions. High school senior Lekan Ajayi, a 6'11" center from North Carolina, has scheduled visits to LMU and Florida, and also plans to visit Seton Hall, Tennessee, and either Arizona or Miami. According to college basketball blogger Adam Zagoria, Ajayi will visit LMU Feb. 14-16, where he will most likely have the opportunity to watch the Lions take on Pepperdine on the night of the 16th.


Ajayi, who is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, will take his mother along with him on his visit to LMU. The Lions currently have two other roster players from Lagos (Ayodeji Egbeyemi and Godwin Okonji).


Ajayi is averaging 9.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks this season.

Competitive basketball is back

The good news is that the Lions played three halves of incredible, competitive basketball this weekend against two of the top teams in the West Coast Conference. The bad news is that despite playing hard, the team still comes out with an 0-2 record, bringing the Lions conference record to 1-3.

Now, in some ways, that record is skewed, as LMU has played the three toughest teams in the WCC already, just four games into the conference season. I fully expect the Lions to rattle off a five game win streak starting Saturday, especially if they play like they did up north this weekend.

The Portland game was unbelievable, and it's too bad the Lions don't have anything to show for it. What was encouraging to see, however, was how LMU's tough defense continued into the first half against Gonzaga yesterday, where it held the Bulldogs to just 35 points. Unfortuntely, it seemed that LMU just ran out of gas in the second half, melting down and allowing itself to be outscored by 20. But hey, the team was facing Gonzaga on the road; not an easy task.

It's important for fans not to be too disappointed about the 1-3 conference record, and really look at the tough schedule the team has already played. After a week off, the Lions will face Pepperdine on Saturday in Malibu, a place where LMU hasn't won in years. I expect that to change Saturday.

Also, it appears Godwin Okonji sat out yesterday's game due to swelling around his nose, after being elbowed in the game at Portland. He should be back for the game at Pepperdine.

Lions to face tough test today in Spokane

Anthony Ireland has emerged as one of the top freshman in the WCC | Courtesy of Facebook

After finding themselves on the losing side of a thrilling double OT game in Portland, the Lions roadtrip doesn't get an easier today as they travel to Spokane, Wash. to take on Gonzaga. The Bulldogs are 12-5 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.

After losing WCC Player of the Year Matt Bouldin to graduation last spring, the Zags don't seem to have missed a step. Led by senior guard Steven Gray and junior center Robert Sacre, Gonzaga is riding an eight-game win streak, which includes a win over No. 9 Baylor. Gray is averaging 14.8 points per game on the season with Sacre not far behind with 13.5.

The Lions played very tough perimeter defense against Portland on Thursday, and that will have to continue tonight against Gonzaga, but most of all the Lions bigs will need to contain Sacre, who put up 24 points against Pepperdine two days ago. LMU got beat inside in double OT by Portland's Sikma, so hopefully Edgar Garibay, Godwin Okonji and Ashley Hamilton don't let that happen again.

The Lions went 1-2 against Gonzaga last season, with their last matchup coming in Las Vegas, Nev. at the WCC Tournament. The Bulldogs won the semifinal matchup before losing to Saint Mary's in the finals. LMU's biggest victory of recent years came last season when they beat then-No. 9 Gonzaga in Gersten Pavilion.

Hopefully the Lions can receive solid games from both Drew Viney and Vernon Teel, who have yet to put together impressive games on the same night in conference play. LMU is looking for the upset to tie its conference record at two.

The game tips off early at 5 p.m.

Lions earn back-to-back victories for first time this year

Larry Davis made his third straight start for LMU | Courtesy of Facebook

The LMU men's basketball team is enjoying being home, as a 69-49 victory over Sacramento State gives the Lions a 2-0 start to this four-game home stand. The Lions welcomed back Drew Viney, who had missed two games due to a calf injury, and despite coming off the bench played 30 minutes and led the game with 15 points.

LMU has been working hard at practice on defense this week, according to Head Coach Max Good's most recent quote in the team's press release, and it showed, as the Lions held the Hornets to just 49 points and 29 percent shooting. LMU also had an astonishing 11 blocks in the game, including six from freshman Godwin Okonji who also contributed a career-high 11 points and five rebounds.

Senior guard Larry Davis, who has found his game since being inserted into the starting lineup three games ago, continued his hot shooting and scored 13 points. Vernon Teel also had 13 points.

Offensively, the Lions seemed to have found some sort of rhythm, as the team had 21 assists on 23 field goals tonight. Teel and freshman Anthony Ireland led the way with six dimes each.

The Hornets led by three points two minutes into the game, and the Lions dominated the rest of the way to bring their record to an even 5-5 on the season.

The only bad news for the Lions seems to have come in another injury, although it is unsure yet how serious it may be. Center Ashley Hamilton hurt his wrist in the first minute of the second half and didn't return. He left the court at the conclusion of the game with his wrist wrapped, and will receive an MRI tomorrow.

Up next, the Lions will take on South Dakota on Saturday at 7 p.m.

LMU handles Cal Poly in second match-up of season

Anthony Ireland had 14 points in the win | Courtesy of Facebook

After a disappointing loss to Cal Poly (3-4) two weeks ago, the Lions responded tonight with a 67-48 win Saturday night in Gersten. The game was the start of a four-game homestand for LMU, which continues Tuesday night when the Lions (4-5) take on Sacramento State.

Playing without four scholarship players (and three starters), LMU received a very balanced scoring effort, as four Lions reached double figures in points. Guards Vernon Teel and Anthony Ireland led the way, each contributing 14 points. Center Ashley Hamilton put in 12 points while LaRon Armstead came off the bench to contribute a season-high 11.

The most impressive stat of the night for the Lions, who never trailed in the game, was a season-low six turnovers.

The Lions were without leading scorer and rebounder Drew Viney, who is recovering from a calf injury. In Viney's absence three Lions (Hamilton, Teel and freshman Godwin Okonji) pulled in eight rebounds. Okonji also added eight points, while Teel dished out a game-high five assists.