Top 5 point guards in the WCC this past season
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
1. Anthony Ireland – LMU
Rank in the Preseason: 1
By Cameron Newton
Despite the turbulent seasons that Loyola Marymount always seems to go through, I can always count on one thing: a consistently high level of play from Anthony Ireland. In his time at Loyola Marymount, he has been a floor general who has also been the glue that seemingly holds this team together.
Over the past few seasons, Loyola Marymount has been plagued time and time again with injuries. One player who is not been afflicted, however, is Anthony Ireland. In his time at Loyola Marymount, he has been a familiar face on the court seeing as he is never missed a single ball game due to injury. This season was another great one for Ireland. While the Lions started out hot, looking like they may earn some sort of postseason tournament berth, the injury bug hit once again and the team went on a massive losing streak.
Throughout all of this, Anthony Ireland continued to do everything in his power to try and win ball games for the Lions. His scoring numbers did not falter, he remained the same fantastic passer that he has always been, and he provided a calming force that countered the somewhat hectic nature that was this team midway through the season.
While he may not be recognized by many for his achievements, it goes without saying that he is one of the best players to ever don a Loyola Marymount uniform. He is a true Lions legend in every sense of the word. It will certainly be an odd and sad feeling to think about next year’s Lions team without Ireland.