Jan. 28, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

The Loyola Marymount men's basketball team will complete the first half of West Coast Conference play the same way it started, on the road. The Lions will head to the Bay Area for a two-game stretch, starting with Santa Clara on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7:00 p.m. The Lions will then travel to San Francisco on Jan. 31, also at 7:00 p.m. It will conclude a stretch in which the Lions played five of the first seven WCC games on the road. Both games are also on KXLU 88.9 FM and LMULions.com.

YOUTH MOVEMENT
Five newcomers on LMU's roster, including four true freshman, have been asked to carry the load for the Lions this season. And with injuries the freshman trio of Jarred DuBois, Kevin Young, and LaRon Armstead have been asked to play big minutes and they have become the heart of the Lions. DuBois, Young, Armstead along with sophomore transfer Vernon Teel and walk-on freshman Griffin Reilly have combined to play 2,429 of the 4,200 minutes played in 20 games this season, good for 57.8 percent. Armstead, DuBois and Young have carried the load due to the injuries, as Teel has not played since Nov. 21 and Reilly has averaged just over five minutes in eight games. The Freshman Trio are all averaging more than 30 minutes a game and all three played 40 minutes against USD last Saturday. DuBois leads the group with 35.8 minutes per game, on pace to snap the record by a freshman set by Forrest McKenzie with 29.8 minutes in 1981. Armstead had a stretch of 108 straight minutes, running from the final four minutes against UALR to the second half against UCSB. DuBois did one better, playing 115 consecutive minutes from the Mercer game through 16 minutes of the first half against CSUB. Armstead is averaging 32.2 minutes while Young is averaging 31.1, playing his fourth 40-minute game against San Diego, getting his first rest since the Pepperdine game when he was subbed for defense in the final minutes against the Toreros. The group has also combined for 795 of the 1,152 points (69.0 percent) and 397 of the 686 rebounds (57.8percent) this season.

MAKING A POINT
Freshman Jarred DuBois has been quickly developing into the Lions' floor leader and as conference play progresses he doesn't look much like a freshman anymore. Through five games he has become one of the scoring leaders in the WCC, averaging 16.2 points to rank third in WCC games (as of 1/26/09). On the season, DuBois is averaging 13.5 points per game, ranked ninth in the WCC. His recent scoring explosion has been highlighted by the last non-conference game of the year where he scored an LMU freshman record 39 points in the win over the Roadrunners. DuBois' point total came on 11-for-15 shooting from the field and 12-for-15 from the free throw line to snap Forrest McKenzie's freshman record of 29 points set against San Francisco on Jan. 16, 1982. DuBois was 5-for-7 from the three-point line as he scored the most points by any Lion since Wyking Jones had 39 against San Francisco on Jan. 20, 1994. In the USD game he went for 25, tied for fifth all-time in the record books, thanks in large part to an 11-for-12 effort from the free throw line. He hit his first 11 and his miss in his final attempt was his first since that CSUB game, a span of 22 made. DuBois first turned heads with his defense against No. 8 Notre Dame, helping LMU hold first-team All-Big East performer Kyle McAlarney to zero points (0-for-7), forcing him into four turnovers. DuBois also went for 16 points in that game and also added a 23-point effort against UALR, which ranks 13th among single game scoring by a freshman. He also entered the week second in the WCC in free throw shooting, hitting 88-for-103 (85.4 percent). He has more made free throws than anyone in WCC and leads the team with 61 assists (2.90 per game), good for 9th in the WCC (as of 1/26/09).

YOUNG AND THE REBOUNDS
Kevin Young is putting together some of the more impressive games by a freshman in LMU history on the boards, earning his third double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds against No. 23 Gonzaga last Saturday. He had six offensive rebounds and went 10-for-12 from the charity stripe to set his career-high in points. In terms of rebounds, he had the best game of any freshman in LMU history against New Mexico State. He finished the game with his second double-double of the year with 16 points and 19 rebounds in 40 minutes. It was the most rebounds by a freshman in LMU history and the most rebounds in a game by a Lion since Ime Odouk had 22 on Jan. 7, 1994 against Buffalo. For Young it was an unofficial triple-double as he had 14 offensive rebounds. He now has 148 rebounds this season, tying him with Johnny Brown (1981-82) all-time in LMU history for rebounds in a season by a freshman. Young also has games of 13 (Wyoming) and 11 (at Arizona, at UCSB), ranking third and tied for seventh, respectively for freshman in LMU history. Young has 68 offensive rebounds, 3.24 per game this season, to lead the Lions and rank fifth in the WCC (as of 1/26/09). Overall, he is averaging 7.0 rebounds per game, sixth in the WCC (1/26/09). He is also third with 1.52 steals per game (32 steals) and seventh with 1.14 blocks per game (24 blocks). His block total is ranked tied for 19th in the LMU record books for blocks in a single season by all players. His 32 steals this season is fifth in the freshman record books at LMU.

STARK IMPROVEMENT
LaRon Armstead became the first Lion since Jim Williamson in the 1995-96 season to play a complete 40 minutes in back-to-back games. Armstead, who started the season averaging just 22 minutes a game at the Iowa State Tournament, is now averaging 32.2 minutes per game after going 40 minutes four times this season. Williamson averaged 35.7 minutes a game in 1995-96, logging 40 minutes in a 67-63 win over Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 16, 1995 and then 40 minutes on Dec. 19, 1995 in an 82-80 win at Hawaii. That season total ranked seventh all-time in LMU history. The all-time leader is Keith Smith, who logged 38.1 minutes per contest in 1984-85. That season he played 40 or more minutes in 12 games, including a stretch of three straight games of 40 minutes and three more times where he went back-to-back games with 40 minutes. And, for Armstead, the minutes have led to production. Since entering the starting line-up against Wagner, he has caught fire. He now averages 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds on the season (12th in WCC). If it wasn't for fellow freshman Kevin Young, Armstead's pace on the glass would be challenging the freshman record. His 122 rebounds this season is currently ranked sixth on the LMU freshman charts.

DEPLETED ROSTER
Five players on LMU's roster, which includes six newcomers and just three seniors, are now out for the season. Junior transfer Larry Davis (Seton Hall) and sophomore Drew Viney (Oregon) are redshirting the season due to transfer rules. The other three players out for the year are all due to injury. Redshirt sophomore Terron Sutton is out for the year due to a torn ACL suffered in practice this October, and Tim Diederichs, who had played limited minutes in the first three games, required surgery on his injured right shoulder suffered in the first weeks of practice this season. He will miss the remainder of the season and plans on applying for a medical redshirt. The third player in that group is Ashley Hamilton, who played in five games this season and will miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his back. He will also apply for a medical redshirt. There is more. Leading scorer, rebounder and assist man through three games, Vernon Teel, broke his right foot against Notre Dame and had surgery Nov. 26 and missed two months of the season. Teel returned to action against Gonzaga and Portland on Jan. 22 and 24 and averaged 12.0 points in 25 minutes in those two games. With the injuries, the Lions have been down to seven scholarship players, two of which - seniors Corey Counts and Chris Kanne - earned scholarships this summer after playing as walk-ons the last three seasons. Current walk-on Griffin Reilly is the eighth active player and saw his first minutes of action at Arizona. The Lions added two more players to the roster in walk-ons Daniel Latimer and the newest addition, Wes Libuit, who joined the team on Jan. 18.

JESUIT SPOTLIGHT
Today's matchup between LMU and Santa Clara is part of the nationwide Jesuit Basketball Spotlight project, using Jesuit basketball to raise awareness of Jesuit education. The Jesuit Basketball Spotlight project highlights more than 90 games this season between men's and women's teams from the 28 Jesuit college and universities across the United States. Each of the 28 is dedicated to strong academics and teaching women and men to serve others and live a faith that does justice. Jesuit, Catholic colleges and universities in the United States have more than 200,000 students currently and more than 1.7 million living alumni. The Jesuit educational mission began in Europe around 500 years ago.

TAKING ON THE RANKED
LMU has already faced three ranked opponents this season as the Gonzaga Bulldogs was the fourth. The Lions have not played four ranked teams in one season since 1991. Notre Dame entered the Nov. 21 game against LMU ranked eighth in the Associated Press poll and ninth in the Coaches polls while UCLA entered the Dec. 17 game 13th and 12th in those respective polls. The game against Saint Mary's saw the Gaels ranked 25th in the Coaches Poll. Gonzaga came in 23rd in the AP Poll and was be the 95th meeting for LMU against a ranked opponent. The last win for the Lions against a ranked team was in the 1990 NCAA Tournament when LMU defeated No. 23 Alabama 62-60 to advanced to the Elite Eight. The game against Gonzaga was the 33rd time the Lions have taken on a ranked team since defeating the Crimson Tide on March 23, 1990.

BAYNO/GOOD
Head Coach Bill Bayno, who has been serving a leave of absence since Nov. 24, officially resigned from the position, Athletics Director Dr. William Husak announced Monday, Jan. 12. Husak also announced that Max Good, who has been the acting head coach during Bayno's leave, has agreed to a multiple-year deal to be the head coach of the Lions (For complete bio on Coach Good, see page 6).
Quotes From Bayno:
"Due to medical reasons and on the advice of my doctors, I am resigning from my duties as head men's basketball coach at Loyola Marymount," said Bayno. "I sincerely apologize for any disappointment this might cause the fans, the administration, the students and most importantly my players, their families and my coaching staff. I care deeply for them all and I will always be available to help in any way I can in basketball and in life. I would especially like to thank Dr. Husak and the entire LMU administration for this opportunity. Dr. Husak's support and guidance has been invaluable for both my personal and professional growth. Again, I apologize for being unable to accomplish the goals that we have set forth, but I still believe in the vision and I think LMU will still undoubtedly realize their championship aspirations. I wish the entire LMU family all the best in the future."
Quotes From Husak on Bayno:
"In his seven months on the job at LMU, Bill Bayno accomplished more than any coach could reasonably be expected to achieve," said Husak. "We are all grateful for his efforts and recognize the foundation he has built and the path he has established for our basketball program. The LMU family wishes Bill continued progress in his comeback from the emotional distress triggered by responsibilities associated with being a head coach. Bill Bayno will always be a Lion."

SCHOLL PROMOTION
LMU Head Coach Max Good announced on Jan. 20 that Myke Scholl has been promoted to Associate Head Coach of the LMU men's basketball program. "Myke's roll in helping young men develop as human beings and as basketball players around the world has been truly inspiration. He brings a level of commitment and passion to this team that will help lead this program to a great deal of success." Scholl, who holds a law degree from Maryland, has worked with basketball programs in the U.S. Virgin Islands, at the junior college level in northern California, with the South Africa National and Under-20 teams, the Senegal Men's National Team, with a professional team in South Africa and as a scout for the Detroit Pistons. The list of players Scholl has coached and/or worked with who have played in the NBA is impressive. While with the Pistons, he worked with Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiel, Cheick Samb and Arron Afflalo. He has also coached Howard Nathan (Atlanta), Reggie Jordan (Washington), Chris King (Utah), Priest Lauderdale (Denver), Junior Burrough (Boston), Devin Gray (Houston), Sam Cassell (Boston), DeSagana Diop (New Jersey), Roy Tarpley (Dallas) and Shawnta Rogers (New Jersey). Scholl, a graduate of Jesuit High School in Sacramento where he played for LMU alum Steve Smith, played at Sacramento State for two seasons before finishing his career at Ohio Wesleyan University and earning a double major in Sociology and History in 1991.

TOUGH NON-CONFERENCE
When it rains, it pours never fit better. Playing with just seven scholarship players, experiencing a midseason coaching change and seven of their first 10 games on the road, the Lions have had to do this with a murderous schedule. The Lions' non-conference opponents heading into WCC play combined for a record of 116-71 (62.0 percent). In addition, this was the first time since the 2004-05 season the Lions have played at least two ranked teams in non-conference play. In addition, the Lions began conference play with the first three straight on the road and five of their first seven away from home.

IT COUNTS
Senior Corey Counts made sure the Lions didn't go long without a three-pointer, going 5-for-6 from long range against Iowa State. He had another five three-pointer game against New Mexico State, going 5-for-8, giving him three games in his career to hit five in a game, hitting the mark while going for 21 points against Gonzaga in the WCC opener a year ago. Counts is 41-for-109 (37.6 percent) from the three-point line in 2008-09, moving his career total to 90-for-239 (37.7 percent) in his career. On the season, he is ranked 5th the WCC in three-pointers made per game (1.95) and 11th in three-point percentage (as of 1/26/09). He needs five more three-pointers to crack the top-20 in LMU history for three-pointers made in a single season. His career three-point percentage entered the season ranked 11th. His 90 made three-pointers overall moves him to 11th all-time in LMU history past Per Stumer (1988-90). His 239 attempts is 11th, passing Cobi McElroy (1991-95).

FREE THROWS
The Lions throughout the season have slowly established themselves as one of the better free throw shooting teams in the West Coast Conference. Entering the Santa Clara game the Lions are 72.4 percent (273-377) from the charity stripe, ranking second in the WCC (as of 1/26/09). The 273 made free throws is also second best in the league while the 377 attempted is fourth. The Lions have shot better than 70 percent in game 14 times this season. Leading the way is the freshman Jarred DuBois at 85.4 percent. He is 88-for-103 from the line this season and is within range of cracking the top-20 in free throws made and attempted in a single season. Brandon Worthy set the freshman record with 149 made (ranked 11th) and 197 attempted (ranked 12th) in 2002-03. The year prior, the 2001-02 season, the LMU squad set the all-time team record, hitting 77.7 percent while ranking in the top-five nationally that season.

SHOOTING TOUCH
Against Arkansas-Little Rock in game two of the three-game road trip, the Lions shot 56.8 percent from the field (21-for-37), 58.3 percent from long range and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. It was the best shooting performance for the Lions in over two seasons and ranks seventh overall in the last decade. The Lions held UALR to just 41.7 percent shooting (25-for-60) and out-rebounded one of the best rebounding teams in the nation by nine (34-25).

TAKE A GOOD LOOK
The Australian forward Marko Deric is the only senior on the Lions' roster who came to the Lions on a scholarship. He enters the game against Portland with 103 games as a Lion, averaging 4.1 per game in his first three-plus seasons. Fellow senior guards Corey Counts and Chris Kanne are former walk-ons who earned scholarships this summer. Kanne is a fifth-year senior who earned his Business degree in May and is now in graduate school at LMU for Business Law. Kanne turned heads this offseason with his shooting and is expected to play more as he enters the Santa Clara game with 51 career games in three-plus seasons. Counts had a breakout year last season, starting 22 games, leading the team with 88 assists while hitting on 39 percent from the three-point line (37-for-95). Counts has played 80 games as a Lion. Take a good look at the seniors this season as Counts, Kanne and Deric will be the only three seniors in the LMU men's basketball program for the next two years as the roster has only one junior and that is redshirt Larry Davis.

HISTORICAL THREE
Since the three-point field goal was introduced in the 1986-87 season, LMU has had just one game where they have not had a three-pointer. Well, in the first game with the three-point line pushed back a foot they had their second, snapping a streak of 375 games snapped. The Lions went 0-for-8 against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, marking just the second time they went without a three. The only other "miss" came on Dec. 19, 1995 when the Lions went 0-for-6 in an 82-80 win over Hawaii. That game snapped a 271 consecutive three-pointer streak for the Lions. Heading into the game against Santa Clara, in the 668 games the Lions have played since the three-point line was instituted, the Lions have hit three-pointers in 666 of them. The Lions have never gone without a three-pointer in WCC play.

DEFENSE
It might not show in the record, but the Lions and their zone defense has frustrated opponents. First it was No. 8 Notre Dame, holding first-team All-Big East performer Kyle McAlarney to zero points. The senior McAlarney averaged 15.1 points a year ago and hit 108 three-pointers (hitting 44 percent) and then went on to hit 39 against No. 1 North Carolina a week later. Freshman Jarred DuBois and senior Corey Counts held him to 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-4 from long range, forcing him into four turnovers. The Lions then held Arizona's Chase Budinger to just 10 points in 27 minutes, more than 12 points less than his average entering the game. Then against Wyoming, holding the Mountain West Conference's highest scoring team more than 20 points under its season average. The Lions held Preseason All-American Honorable Mention selection, Brandon Ewing, under double digits for the first time in 21 games, dating back to the middle of last season. On top of that, the Lions held a Cowboys team that averages better than 48 percent from the field to 40 percent and 28 percent from behind the arc. Against UC Riverside, they limited the Highlanders to a season low 59 points on 25.9 percent shooting from the three-point line (7-for-27) while at No. 12 UCLA, the Lions held the Bruins to their lowest shooting percentage at Pauley Pavilion, 39.4. It was also the lowest shooting percentage by any opponent against LMU this season.

THE TEEL DEAL
Sophomore Vernon Teel was named to the World Vision Classic All-Tournament team after an impressive opening act for the Lions. The native of Jamaica Queens, New York, averaged 19.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in the three games in Ames, Iowa. He finished with 58 points in the tournament, going for 23 points, six rebounds and three assists against UC Davis; 17 points, 13 rebounds and three assists against Iowa State; and putting in 18 points with nine rebounds and two assists in his debut against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He had not played since he suffered a broken foot against Notre Dame, over two months, when he returned against Portland and Gonzaga. In those two contests, Teel averaged 12.0 points in 25 minutes.