WCC Power Rankings, December 16th
By Josh Horton
Dec 6, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions guard Anthony Ireland (3) dribbles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh won 85-68. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
5. Loyola Marymount
Last Week: 6
Record: 6-4
RPI: 175
KenPom: 176
PPG: 77.9
RPG: 37.6
FG%: .447
This Past Week: L @ Valparaiso
After losing a heartbreaker to Valparaiso last week, a game which included blowing a double-digit halftime lead, the Lions are looking ahead to this week, as they return home to Gersten Pavilion to take on Cal Poly this Tuesday and La Sierra on Saturday.
LMU has not been having trouble scoring, but they’ve had trouble scoring efficiently. When they are able to shoot effectively, the Lions perform like they did in the first half of the Valpo game. When they shoot poorly and turn the ball over, we see performances like the second half against Valparaiso.
LMU will look to regroup this week, and they will look to their guard tandem of Anthony Ireland and Evan Payne to do so. Those two may have had high point totals last game, but they shot 25% and 33%, respectively. They haven’t had much trouble up to this point, but LMU needs to buckle down and get serious. They desperately need these two upcoming home wins before conference play starts…especially since they start WCC play against the high-powered BYU offense (8th in the nation).
By Cam Newton