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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Not only does Loyola Marymount have the challenge of playing the top two teams in the West Coast Conference over a three-day span, but LMU's homestand kicks off with a visit from the nation's third-ranked team, Gonzaga. The game will tip at 8 p.m. and air nationally on ESPN2.
 
The Lions (17-8, 5-6 WCC), one of six conference teams within a game and a half of each other in the standings has the opportunity to both surprise the nation but impact the conference race to the Championships.
 
Gonzaga (23-2, 10-0 WCC) and LMU first matched up against each other in Spokane back on Jan. 17. While the Bulldogs won by 18 points, that game was just one of three conference matchups for the Zags where they did not outscore their by 20+ points. LMU was only outscored by four points after halftime, 37-33, to a then top-five team. It was just a three point difference through the first 12 and a quarter minutes before GU put together a mini run to create separation.
 
Part of the reason that the Lions kept themselves in it throughout that first meeting was that LMU shot a season-best 55.6 percent from three-point range (5-for-9). Despite the efficient long-range shooting, LMU's nine attempts from distance is tied for the team's fewest on the year. The Lions also committed a season-low 12 fouls that night in The Kennel, leading to just 11 free throw attempts for the Zags.
 
These two teams rank first and second in the conference in points allowed, with LMU's 61.8 mark 13th in the NCAA. Gonzaga's defense allows opponents to score at a rate of 65.3 ppg. The matchup also features the top two steals teams in the WCC. Gonzaga (7.6 spg) and LMU (7.2 spg) are the lone conference schools to average above seven steals per game. Individually, James Batemon and Joe Quintana lead the WCC in steals per game at 1.72 and 1.61, respectfully.
 
Halftime will feature a performance by the Amazing Sladek.