Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball

Last updated
Loyola Marymount Lions
men's basketball
Basketball current event.svg 2024-25 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team
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UniversityLoyola Marymount University
Head coach Stan Johnson (5th season)
Conference West Coast Conference
Location Los Angeles, California
Arena Gersten Pavilion
(capacity: 4,156)
Nickname Lions
ColorsCrimson and blue [1]
   
Uniforms
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Home
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Away
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Alternate
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1990
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1961, 1990
NCAA tournament round of 32
1988, 1990
NCAA tournament appearances
1961, 1980*, 1988, 1989, 1990
*vacated by NCAA
Conference tournament champions
1988, 1989
Conference regular season champions
1961, 1988, 1990

The Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represents Loyola Marymount University in men's college basketball. The team competes in the West Coast Conference. The team has played its home game at Gersten Pavilion since 1981. [2]

Contents

Loyola Marymount's last appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was in 1990, where they advanced to the Elite Eight. They lost to eventual national champion UNLV. Prior to the NCAA tournament, Lions star player Hank Gathers died during the West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament from a heart condition. The Lions defeated New Mexico State, defending champion Michigan, and Alabama. The 1990 squad was also the highest scoring team in NCAA Division I history with an average of 122 points per game.

History

Loyola Marymount has played in the West Coast Conference since 1955, when the Lions and Pepperdine Waves joined the hitherto Northern Californian league that included Santa Clara University, the University of San Francisco, Saint Mary's College, and the University of Pacific. LMU has played in the WCC ever since, fostering heated rivalries with all WCC members, especially Pepperdine University and the University of San Diego, a WCC member since 1979.

LMU's early basketball history produced two Lions better known for their coaching tenures at other WCC schools than their LMU careers. Pete Newell and Phil Woolpert were classmates at LMU, graduating in 1939. Newell went on to coach the San Francisco Dons to the 1949 NIT title, and the California Golden Bears to the 1959 NCAA tournament championship. Newell is considered one of the most influential coaches in the history of basketball. Woolpert coached the legendary Bill Russell and K.C. Jones led University of San Francisco Dons to NCAA championships in 1954 and 1955.

Though LMU represented the WCC in the 1961 NCAA tournament, the Lions were consistently also rans in the WCC which included powerful University of San Francisco and Santa Clara University teams. Of note from LMU's early WCC teams is Rick Adelman, the 1968 WCC Player of the Year, who enjoyed a 7 year NBA career followed by a 30-year NBA coaching career.

The Lions burst onto the national basketball scene in the late 1980s under coach Paul Westhead. His teams led Division I in scoring in 1988 (110.3 points per game), 1989 (112.5) and 1990 (122.4). [3] LMU's 122.4 point per game in 1990 was still a record as of October 2010. [4] As of October 2010, Loyola Marymount held the five highest combined scoring games in Division I history. Four of the five occurred during Westhead's career, including a record 331 in the 181–150 win over United States International University on January 31, 1989. [5]

Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble transferred to LMU from the University of Southern California. [6] In the 1988–89 season, Gathers became the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding in the same season, averaging 32.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. [7] [8] In the 1989–90 season, Kimble led the nation in scoring averaging 35.3 points per game. Both Gathers and Kimble were consensus second team All-American selections in 1990. [9] [10]

In the 1989–90 season, during the second round of the WCC tournament, Gathers collapsed and died on the court due to a heart condition. The team nevertheless reached the Elite Eight in the 1990 NCAA tournament. Its three postseason wins included a 149–115 regional victory over Michigan that established NCAA men's tournament records for points by one team and combined points in a single game. The Lions ultimately were eliminated by UNLV, a team that went on to win the national championship. Loyola Marymount's final record was 26–6. Gathers (#44) and teammate Bo Kimble (#30) later had their jerseys retired by LMU.

LMU alumnus Mike Dunlap took over the program in 2014 and guided the Lions until the end of the 2020 season. Dunlap was formerly the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.

On March 20, 2020, Stan Johnson was announced as the 27th head coach of Loyola Marymount. [11] In the 2022-23 season, Johnson began the only coach in West Coast Conference history to defeat Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, and BYU in the same season. After defeating BYU on 64-59 in the conference home opener on January 5, 2023, Johnson's Lions snapped Gonzaga's 75-game home win streak on Jan. 19, 2023 with a 68-67 win over the #6 team in the country. LMU then defeated #15 Saint Mary's at Gersten Pavilion on February 9, 2023, for his second nationally-ranked win of the season. Johnson has led LMU to two MTE (Multi-Team Event) Tournament titles in his tenure, winning the Jamaica Classic in 2022 and the Cancun Challenge in 2024.

Postseason results

NCAA tournament results

The Lions have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times. Their combined record is 5–5.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1961 Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd-place game
Utah
USC
L 75–91
W 69–67
1980 First roundArizona StateL 71–99
1988 First round
Second Round
Wyoming
North Carolina
W 119–115
L 97–123
1989 First roundArkansasL 101–120
1990 First round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
New Mexico State
Michigan
Alabama
UNLV
W 111–92
W 149–115
W 62–60
L 101–131

NIT results

The Lions have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) one time. Their record is 1–1.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1986 First round
Second Round
California
Wyoming
W 80–75
L 90–99

CIT results

The Lions have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) two times. Their record is 2–2.

YearRoundOpponentResult
2010 First roundPacificL 76-86
2012 First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Cal State-Fullerton
Weber State
Utah State
W 89–79
W 84–78OT
L 69–77

CBI results

The Lions have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) one time. Their record is 2–1.

YearRoundOpponentResult
2019 First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
California Baptist
Brown
South Florida
W 56–55
W 81–63
L 47–56

Retired numbers

Loyola Marymount has retired two jersey numbers, both being two members of the 1990 Sweet Sixteen team.

Loyola Marymount Lions retired numbers
No.PlayerPos.CareerNo. ret.Ref.
30 Bo Kimble SG 1987–1990February 19,
2000
[12]
44 Hank Gathers [n 1] F 1987–1990 [13]
Notes
  1. Posthumous honor.

Lions in professional basketball

The following Lion players have played in the National Basketball Association (NBA):

The following Lions are playing in international basketball:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Gathers</span> American basketball player (1967–1990)

Eric Wilson "Hank" Gathers Jr. was an American college basketball player for the Loyola Marymount Lions in the West Coast Conference (WCC). As a junior in 1989, he became the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding in the same season. Gathers was a consensus second-team All-American as a senior in 1990. His No. 44 was retired by the Lions, who also placed a statue of him in his honor outside their home arena Gersten Pavilion.

Gregory Kevin "Bo" Kimble is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He played college basketball for the Loyola Marymount Lions. As a senior in the 1989–90 season, Kimble was named a consensus second-team All-American as well as the conference player of the year in the West Coast Conference (WCC). He led the 11th-seeded Lions to the regional finals of the NCAA tournament after the death of teammate Hank Gathers. Kimble was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 1990 NBA draft with the eighth overall pick. He played three seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Clippers and the New York Knicks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gersten Pavilion</span> Sports arena at Loyola Marymount University

The Gersten Pavilion is a 3,900-seat multi-purpose arena in Los Angeles, California. It is the home of the Loyola Marymount University Lions. It was built in 1981 and has been used for home games by the university's men's basketball, women's basketball, and volleyball teams since January 1982.

Paul William Westhead is an American former basketball coach. He was the head coach for three National Basketball Association (NBA) teams and an assistant for four others, and also coached in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), American Basketball Association (ABA), and Japan Basketball League (JBL). In his first year as an NBA head coach, he led a rookie Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 NBA Finals, which they won in six games for the team's first title in eight years. Westhead won titles in both the NBA and WNBA, and he is also remembered as the coach of the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) men's basketball team. Westhead is known for an unorthodox, run-and-gun style called "The System." He was nicknamed "The Professor" due to his former career as an English teacher prior to coaching and his tendency to quote Shakespeare and other literary sources while coaching. He attended Saint Joseph's University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament</span> Edition of USA college basketball tournament

The 1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of NCAA Division I men's college basketball. It began on March 15, 1990, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in Denver, Colorado. A total of 63 games were played.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loyola Marymount Lions</span> Athletic teams that represent Loyola Marymount University

The Loyola Marymount Lions are the athletic teams that represent Loyola Marymount University, a Jesuit institution in Los Angeles, California. The school competes in NCAA Division I and the West Coast Conference.

The 1989–90 La Salle Explorers men's basketball team represented La Salle University during the 1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by fourth-year head coach Speedy Morris, the team established the single-season school record for wins with a 30-2 record, including a 22-game win streak. National Player of the Year Lionel "L-Train" Simmons finished his collegiate career third in NCAA scoring with 3,217 points, and also accumulated 1,429 rebounds. He was the first player in NCAA history to score more than 3,000 points and grab more than 1,100 rebounds.

Jay Hillock is an American former college basketball coach. He was the head coach for six seasons in the West Coast Conference, four at Gonzaga in Spokane and two at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Hillock was an assistant on staff at both programs before the respective promotions to head coach. His career record as a head coach was 91–78 (.538), and an even 39–39 in league play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012–13 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2012–13 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 2012–13. This was head coach Max Good's fifth season at Loyola Marymount. The Lions competed in the West Coast Conference and played their home games at Gersten Pavilion. They finished the season 11–23, 1–15 in WCC play to finish in last place. Despite only winning only one conference game during the regular season, they won three games during the WCC tournament to advance to the semifinals where they lost to #1 Gonzaga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2017–18 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by fourth-year head coach Mike Dunlap. They played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference. They finished the season 11–20, 5–13 in WCC play to finish in eighth place. They defeated Portland in the first round of the WCC tournament before losing in the quarterfinals to Gonzaga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 Loyola Marymount Lions women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2017–18 Loyola Marymount Lions women's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Lions, led by sixth year head coach Charity Elliott, played their homes games at the Gersten Pavilion and were members of the West Coast Conference. They finished the season 19–11, 11–7 in WCC play to finish in a tie for third place. They lost in the quarterfinals of the WCC women's tournament to San Francisco. Despite having 19 wins, they were not invited to a postseason tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989–90 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 1989–90 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by fifth-year head coach Paul Westhead. They played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988–89 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 1988–89 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 1988–89 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by fourth-year head coach Paul Westhead. They played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987–88 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 1987–88 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by third-year head coach Paul Westhead. They played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference.

The 1990 West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament was held March 3 and 4 at the Gersten Pavilion at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. This was the fourth edition of the tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 Loyola Marymount Lions women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2018–19 Loyola Marymount Lions women's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University in the 2018–19 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Lions, led by seventh year head coach Charity Elliott, played their homes games at the Gersten Pavilion and were members of the West Coast Conference. They finished the season 18–15, 10–8 in WCC play to finish in a tie for fifth place. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the WCC women's tournament, where they lost to Saint Mary's. They received an at-large bid to the WNIT, where was their first postseason tournament since 2004, where they lost to Idaho in the first round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–20 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> Loyola Marymount University NCAA team

The 2019–20 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by sixth-year head coach Mike Dunlap. They played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference. They finished the season 11–21 overall and 4–12 in WCC play to finish in eighth place. They defeated San Diego in the first round of the WCC tournament before losing in the second round to San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> Loyola Marymount University NCAA team

The 2020–21 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by first-year head coach Stan Johnson. They played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2021–22 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by second-year head coach Stan Johnson and played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2022–23 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by third-year head coach Stan Johnson and played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference.

References

  1. "Colors – Loyola Marymount University". June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  2. "Loyola Marymount Official Athletic Site - on Campus". Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  3. NCAA (November 10, 2010). "2010–11 NCAA Men's Basketball Records - Division I Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. NCAA. p. 39. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 12, 2011.
  4. NCAA 2010, p.5
  5. NCAA 2010, pp.28–29
  6. Florence, Mal Taken From 3 USC Freshmen: Lewis, Gathers and Kimble Receive Word From Raveling. Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1986
  7. Hersch, Hank (February 13, 1989). "Gathers 'round The Rim". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  8. Maxey, Wendell (March 4, 2010). "Hank Gathers' legacy endures 20 years after tragic on-court death". USA Today . Archived from the original on June 28, 2011.
  9. NCAA 2010, p.23
  10. NCAA (October 31, 2008). "NCAA Men's Basketball Records (Award Winners)" (PDF). p. 137. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011.
  11. "LMU Names Stan Johnson Men's Basketball Head Coach". LMULions.com. Loyola Marymount University. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  12. Kimble bio at Lmulions.com
  13. Gathers bio at Lmulions.com