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LOS ANGELES - To say the event that will take place on the campus of LMU this week is a generational moment might be an understatement as it has happened just twice before in the University's 105-year history. Maybe semi-centennial is more accurate. Regardless, for just the third in program history, LMU men's basketball will host the number one team in the nation at Gersten Pavilion on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The Lions welcome top-ranked and undefeated Gonzaga on Thursday, making it the first time Gersten Pavilion has hosted the top team in the nation. The only other times it happened on campus was when San Francisco came to town No. 1 in 1956 and 1978. Overall, this will be just the seventh time LMU has taken on the nation's highest ranked team, last playing Gonzaga in the 2013 WCC Tournament in Las Vegas.

Here is a look at the Lions against number one:
Feb. 3, 1956 at USF (L, 68-46)
Mar. 3, 1956 vs. USF (L, 65-48)
Jan. 15, 1977 at USF (L, 90-63)
Feb. 18, 1977 vs. USF (L, 104-65)
Nov. 15, 1989 at UNLV (L, 102-91)
Mar. 9, 2013 vs. Gonzaga (L, 66-48)

Basketball fans can still talk of those rare moments taking on number one, speaking how they were there that day in 1956 as USF went on to win their second NCAA Championship with future NBA greats Bill Russell and K.C. Jones. In 1978 it was the Dons led by future NBA first-rounders Bill Cartwright, Winford Boynes and James Hardy.

Those with an active LMU OneCard (Faculty/Staff/Students) get into the games for free and can also request one free ticket for a guest. Those with OneCards are advised to come early to guarantee a seat for both games as full crowds are expected. There is a limit to OneCard tickets and admission is not guaranteed. To guarantee tickets, it is recommended to purchase tickets.

The game is the lead-in to the 2017 Family Weekend festivities. LMU's game against Portland two days later, on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1 pm, is the WCC Game of the Week and the annual Family Weekend Celebration. Festivities begins with the Pregame Tailgate at 11 am.

Registration for Family Weekend activities and discounted ticket packages for admission to all Family Weekend events has expired. However, fans can purchase walk-up tickets to Family Weekend at any event. A ticket is $50 and includes admission to all Family Weekend events, including the Family Weekend Game against the Pilots and the tailgate (does not include t-shirt and external food vendors). For a full list of family weekend activities, visit LMU.edu.

For tickets prices to men's basketball games, CLICK HERE or to purchase game only tickets:

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