Aug. 17, 2010

Click here for the complete 2010-11 LMU men's basketball schedule.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The West Coast Conference released its 2010-11 men's basketball schedule, including its share of games as part of a television partnership with the ESPN family of networks, on Tuesday, Aug. 17. A common theme in the schedule for 2010-11 will be LMU, who will make seven appearances on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.

It is the most national television appearances for the Lions since the Elite Eight run of 1989-90. And it is with good reason. The Lions are coming off their best season since that team 21 years ago and return 14 players, including four starters. The Lions went 18-16 on the year, posted the second-best turnaround in the nation and earned road wins at Notre Dame and at USC. They then defeated No. 9 Gonzaga at Gersten Pavilion in a late season push that saw the Lions reach the semifinals of the Zappos.com WCC Championships.

The Lions' first date as part of the ESPN package will be on ESPNU, Saturday, Dec. 18 when the Lions host Florida State at Gersten Pavilion. Other ESPNU dates include at home against Saint Mary's to start the WCC season on Thursday, Jan. 6, host to Pepperdine on Wednesday, Feb. 16 and then at Santa Clara on Thursday, Feb. 24.

LMU will then make three appearances on ESPN2, starting with a trip to Portland on Thursday, Jan. 13. ESPN2 coverage continues when LMU faces the Gaels for the second time, this one in Moraga on Feb. 5. The final ESPN2 contest will be against Gonzaga on Thursday, Feb. 10 at Gersten.

The 2010-11 schedule will begin with an exhibition game against Chapman at Gersten Pavilion on Saturday, Nov. 6 with the tip-off time slated for 7 p.m. Regular season play will then begin with a two-game homestand when the Lions host Morgan State on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m., and then face La Sierra on Nov. 14 at 3 p.m.

A six-game road swing will follow for the Lions, starting with a trip to Bradley in Peoria, Ill., on Nov. 17. The Lions will then play a pair of games at the 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Tip-off in Springfield, Mass., on Nov. 20-21.

The Lions will then return to California for three straight on the road against teams from the Big West, starting with Cal Poly on Nov. 24, Long Beach State on Nov. 27 and UC Santa Barbara on Dec. 1.

Cal Poly will return the favor less than two weeks later when the Lions start a four-game homestand against the Mustangs on Dec. 4. The Lions will then host Sacramento State in a doubleheader with the women on Dec. 7, the first of two against South Dakota on Dec. 11 and then the showdown on ESPNU with the Seminoles.

LMU will play two more road games before the WCC season begins, traveling to South Dakota on Dec. 22 and then to UC Irvine on Dec. 30.

The Lions will have a pair of non-conference games after the WCC season begins, taking on Seattle at Gersten Pavilion on Monday, Jan. 31 and then participating in the Bracket Busters on Saturday, Feb. 19.

The Zappos.com West Coast Conference Championships will return to Las Vegas on March 4-7.

Season Tickets are on sale now through the LMU ticket office by calling (310) 338-LION.