WCC Game Preview: LMU vs. San Diego
By James Pigott
March 8, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Diego Toreros guard Christopher Anderson (00) and guard Johnny Dee (1) celebrate against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
LMU Lions (9-4) vs. San Diego Toreros (9-5)
Date: Monday, December 30, 2013
Location: Gersten Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
Time: 7:00 PM PST
TV: None
Video: http://www.lmulions.com/allaccess/?media=414015
Last Season: San Diego won both meetings. They beat the Lions 78-70 in San Diego and 69-68 in overtime in Los Angeles.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Loyola Marymount
Anthony Ireland, 18.8 PPG, 5.5 APG
Evan Payne, 15.1 PPG
C.J. Blackwell, 4.o PPG
Gabe Levin, 12.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG
Alex Osborne, 6.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG
San Diego
Christopher Anderson, 11.1 PPG, 6.2 APG
Johnny Dee, 18.3 PPG
Duda Sandaze, 12.2 PPG
Jito Kok, 5.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG
Dennis Kramer, 11.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG
KEYS TO THE GAME
Loyola Marymount
Contain Dee: Lately, Johnny Dee has been doing most of the scoring for the Toreros. If Evan Payne can try to deny Dee the ball and force Anderson and Sandaze to take more shots, the Lions will be in excellent shape. If necessary, Chase Flint could even guard Dee. If the Lions keep Dee down, they will have an excellent chance to win the game.
San Diego
Bench Scoring: The Toreros get 83.2% of their scoring from their starters. Someone on the bench needs to step up or else Dee and Anderson will have to play close to all 40 minutes and eventually get tired. If Chris Sarbaugh or Brett Bailey can come in and give something for the Toreros, that will go a long way as the season goes on.
PREDICTION
Loyola Marymount is coming off their best win of the season, while San Diego is coming off a disappointing loss to Pepperdine. If momentum means anything, the Lions should handle the Toreros at home. But I expect San Diego to bounce back to try to avoid an 0-2 start to league play. The Toreros will keep it close, but Anthony Ireland and comapny should get the victory, 73-66.