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Post by LIONS90045 on Nov 19, 2018 19:38:52 GMT -5
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Post by nbdlion22 on Nov 19, 2018 20:13:02 GMT -5
thats awesome!
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Post by thx4leavinjimlynam on Nov 19, 2018 22:51:14 GMT -5
Really happy for everyone involved in the program!
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Post by rswan on Nov 19, 2018 23:13:02 GMT -5
Kudos Lions and happy for the entire program. This team will very likely be undefeated heading into the UCLA game. I do not want to be negative, but all the stars really aligned for this 5-0 start (despite missing ELi). These teams LMU has played to start the year, despite their history, which is entirely irrelevant, WERE BAD.
Ohio U was absolutely horrible. I am watching these games and seriously miffed. Maybe I am getting old and seeing a degradation of Division I basketball, but each opponent was anemic. Ohio U was something like 2-38 from 3 in Jamaica. I mean how is that even possible. You could literally put a shooter at the 3 point line and blindfold him and shoot that better than that. I hope it continues, and it will until UCLA, but it will really be interesting to see if this continues. Let's hope it does and enjoy it while it lasts.
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Post by pumpfake on Nov 20, 2018 1:20:38 GMT -5
The Lions are DEEP and VERSATILE. It's clear that we have a very good point guard in Batemon and a very solid center in Markusson and an elite defender in McClendon and a really strong tough finisher in Scott. But what will make the difference this year, is the OTHER GUYS. In just 5 games we have gotten solid contributions from Douglas (lots more to come there!), Quintana, Williams, Bell, and Johanssen. Herman has struggled but hopefully he will get untracked because we will need another big when Markusson gets in foul trouble. Our team defense is excellent and we can and will shoot the ball better than we have. The guys understand their roles and like one another. And they know HOW TO WIN. If Batemon stays healthy, I see no reason why we can't be in the top 4 or 5 in the WCC. And yes, I know that SD and USF are very good this year. That said, bring em on!
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Post by bdwillie32 on Nov 21, 2018 2:49:06 GMT -5
The Lions are DEEP and VERSATILE. It's clear that we have a very good point guard in Batemon and a very solid center in Markusson and an elite defender in McClendon and a really strong tough finisher in Scott. But what will make the difference this year, is the OTHER GUYS. In just 5 games we have gotten solid contributions from Douglas (lots more to come there!), Quintana, Williams, Bell, and Johanssen. Herman has struggled but hopefully he will get untracked because we will need another big when Markusson gets in foul trouble. Our team defense is excellent and we can and will shoot the ball better than we have. The guys understand their roles and like one another. And they know HOW TO WIN. If Batemon stays healthy, I see no reason why we can't be in the top 4 or 5 in the WCC. And yes, I know that SD and USF are very good this year. That said, bring em on! Don’t forget about the contributions of Gipson who gave great minutes against CSUN locking up their best perimeter scorer and chipping in a few baskets. And Allen can be a great contributor when given the opportunity. He’s very creative off the dribble and has given us a couple double digit performances.
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Post by pumpfake on Nov 21, 2018 10:24:29 GMT -5
Absolutely. I was remiss in not mentioning Gibson and Allen. Both have contributed to the effort. DEEP and VERSATILE. With the exception of Batemon and Markusson and maybe Scott, foul trouble won't hurt us the way it would hurt a lot of other teams that don't have the bench we do.
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Post by nbdlion22 on Nov 21, 2018 11:02:03 GMT -5
Im really curious to see how the team gels when Eli is back. He's obviously a stud but it could be difficult to try and get him into the rotation when the guys are playing well with each other right now (without Eli).
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Post by longtimelionfan on Nov 21, 2018 14:17:01 GMT -5
I'm enjoying this excellent conversation. It's fun.
I think nbdlion's point above is a good one too. We all want Eli back but it may be more difficult to smoothly insert him into the rotation than we think given how others are playing. That's not to say it shouldn't happen. It must happen. The silver lining is so many others have contributed, as noted above, that the current rotation varies and is flexible so I'd hope Eli's insertion shouldn't be a material issue.
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Post by pumpfake on Nov 21, 2018 14:31:42 GMT -5
Eli's been sick for a while. When he's ready, I am sure he will have to take baby steps to get back in game shape. This should make for a smooth transition all around. We just want him at full strength once WCC play starts.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Nov 21, 2018 14:32:53 GMT -5
Thanks pump for the update
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Post by lmu2015 on Nov 21, 2018 14:39:42 GMT -5
I am looking forward to seeing a line up of Batemon, McClendon, Scott, Douglas, and Markusson. I think by the end of the season that may be our best line up. Both Douglas and Scott have shown to be very capable rebounders, only question about that line up is if opponents will respect Douglas, Scott, and McClendons outside shots enough to create space inside for Batemon to penetrate and Markusson to post. If so, that could be a lethal line up that could compete with anyone in league (except the Zags). But for now, Williams has shown he is a capable outside shooter which has given us a nice dynamic off the bench. But as of now, outside shooting (and shooting in general as our FG% is in the bottom 100 in the country) is still a weakness our team. One bright spot that hasnt been mentioned is our FT shooting, 85% on the season and good for #1 in the country.
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Post by frozag on Nov 24, 2018 12:08:48 GMT -5
Wow you guys are rising fast! Congrats and keep it up! Can't wait to see your team this year. Def my fave non Zag WCC team. Always love your players.
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Post by thx4leavinjimlynam on Nov 24, 2018 15:37:58 GMT -5
Congrats to the Zags for taking down Duke! Keep it going. You should be number one on Monday.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Nov 25, 2018 15:33:42 GMT -5
Here is a look at the teams in last week's top 25 including their record last week and an update following this weeks play.
1. Gonzaga (30) 3-0 6-0 West Coast 2. Buffalo (1) 3-0 5-0 Mid-American 3. BYU 4-1 5-2 West Coast 4. Saint Mary's 3-0 3-3 West Coast 5. Belmont 3-0 5-0 Ohio Valley 6. Furman 5-0 6-0 Southern 7. South Dakota State 3-1 5-2 Summit 8. Loyola Chicago 3-1 4-2 Missouri Valley 9. Wofford 2-2 4-2 Southern 10. Murray State 2-0 3-0 Ohio Valley 11. Northeastern* 2-3 2-4 Colonial 12. Harvard 2-2 3-3 Ivy League 13. UNC Greensboro 3-1 6-1 Southern 14. Illinois State 2-1 5-2 Missouri Valley 15. UC Irvine 4-0 6-1 Big West 16. Georgia State 2-1 4-2 Sun Belt 17. Georgia Southern 5-0 5-0 Sun Belt 18. Lipscomb 3-1 4-1 Atlantic Sun 19. Montana 4-1 4-1 Big Sky 20. Southern Illinois 1-2 3-3 Missouri Valley 21. Penn 4-1 5-2 Ivy League 22. LMU 5-0 7-0 West Coast 23. Louisiana 1-2 3-3 Sun Belt 24. Northern Kentucky 6-0 6-1 Horizon 25. Charleston 3-1 4-2 Colonial
*Lost twice to Davidson
Among WCC teams also receiving votes are USF, which is now 6-0, and San Diego, 5-1 with the only loss to Washington.
Teams with losses last week are in bold. LMU has a chance to climb in the polls and I suspect USF will get in the top 25, perhaps USD also. Saint Mary's will surely drop in the poll and may even fall out of the top 25. I should note that USF had a game scheduled in November with Arizona State which was cancelled due to the California wild fires.
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