Kristian Ferrell
The Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represents Loyola Marymount University in NCAA Division I basketball. The team has played in the West Coast Conference since 1955 and has appeared in the NCAA tournament five times. Their highest-scoring season was in 1990, when they averaged 122 points per game and advanced to the Elite Eight. LMU Athletics is home to 14 NCAA Division I sports teams, and the Lions have produced 30 future Major Leaguers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Loyola Marymount Lions |
| University | Loyola Marymount University |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Division | Division I |
| Conference | West Coast Conference |
| Nickname | Lions |
| Colors | Crimson and Navy |
| Head Coach | Stan Johnson |
| Home Games | Gersten Pavilion |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 5 |
| NCAA Tournament Record | 5–5 |
| National Invitation Tournament Appearances | 1 |
| National Invitation Tournament Record | 1–1 |
| CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament Appearances | 2 |
| CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament Record | 2–2 |
| College Basketball Invitational Appearances | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Loyola Marymount University's basketball team
The Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represents Loyola Marymount University in men's college basketball. The team has played its home games at the Gersten Pavilion since 1981 and competes in the West Coast Conference (WCC), which it joined in 1955.
The Lions burst onto the national basketball scene in the late 1980s under coach Paul Westhead. His teams led Division I in scoring in 1988, 1989, and 1990, with the latter two seasons averaging over 110 points per game. The 1990 squad was the highest-scoring team in NCAA Division I history, with an average of 122.4 points per game—a record that stood as of October 2010. That year, the Lions advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, their last appearance in the tournament to date. However, tragedy struck during the WCC tournament when star player Hank Gathers (#44) collapsed and died on the court due to a heart condition. Gathers' jersey, along with that of his teammate Bo Kimble (#30), was retired by LMU.
Since 2020, Stan Johnson has been the head coach of Loyola Marymount. Under his guidance, the Lions have experienced recent success, including snapping Gonzaga's 75-game home win streak in 2023 and defeating #15 Saint Mary's for his second nationally-ranked win of the season. Johnson has also led LMU to two MTE (Multi-Team Event) Tournament titles: the Jamaica Classic in 2022 and the Cancun Challenge in 2024.
In addition to their five NCAA Tournament appearances, the Lions have appeared in several other postseason tournaments, including the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
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LMU's NCAA Division I status
The Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represents Loyola Marymount University in men's college basketball. The team competes in the West Coast Conference (WCC) and has played in the WCC since 1955. LMU Athletics is home to 14 NCAA Division I sports teams. The Lions have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times, with a combined record of 5-5.
The Loyola Marymount Lions have a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball. The 1990 squad, in particular, holds a special place in LMU's basketball history. That team was the highest-scoring in NCAA Division I history, averaging an impressive 122 points per game. They advanced to the Elite Eight in the 1990 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, achieving three postseason wins, including a memorable 149-115 regional victory over Michigan. Unfortunately, tragedy struck during the WCC tournament when star player Hank Gathers collapsed and died on the court due to a heart condition.
Prior to the 1990 season, the Lions had already made their mark in Division I. Under coach Paul Westhead, LMU's teams led Division I in scoring in 1988 (110.3 points per game), 1989 (112.5), and 1990 (122.4). As of October 2010, Loyola Marymount held the five highest combined scoring games in Division I history, with four of those occurring during Westhead's tenure.
The Lions have continued to find success in recent years. In 2023, under the leadership of head coach Stan Johnson, LMU defeated #6 Gonzaga and #15 Saint Mary's, showcasing their competitiveness on a national level. Johnson has guided the team to two MTE Tournament titles: the Jamaica Classic in 2022 and the Cancun Challenge in 2024.
Loyola Marymount University's athletic program, represented by the Lions, competes across a variety of sports at the NCAA Division I level in the West Coast Conference. The university fosters a spirit of camaraderie and motivation, encouraging students to participate in competitive and recreational sports to develop confidence and leadership skills.
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WCC tournament appearances
The Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team has a rich history in the WCC, having joined the conference back in 1955. They have represented the WCC in the NCAA Tournament multiple times, including in 1961 and notably in 1990, when they advanced to the Elite Eight.
In the 1989-90 season, during the second round of the WCC tournament, LMU suffered a tragedy when their star player Hank Gathers collapsed and died on the court due to a heart condition. Despite this devastating loss, the team rallied and went on to achieve significant success in the 1990 NCAA tournament. They defeated New Mexico State, defending champion Michigan with a score of 149-115, and Alabama. This squad holds the distinction of being the highest-scoring team in NCAA Division I history, with an impressive average of 122 points per game.
LMU's appearance in the 1990 WCC tournament was particularly memorable due to the tragic loss of Gathers. However, their overall performance in the tournament that year remains unclear. It is known that they advanced to the Elite Eight in the subsequent NCAA tournament, showcasing their resilience and determination.
The Lions have had notable successes in the WCC over the years, with players like Rick Adelman, who was the WCC Player of the Year in 1968, and Hank Gathers, who achieved a remarkable scoring and rebounding record in the 1988-89 season. LMU has also developed rivalries with other WCC members, particularly Pepperdine University and the University of San Diego.
While the specific details of LMU's WCC tournament appearances are scarce, their overall impact on the conference and their ability to overcome adversity and achieve success in the NCAA Tournament is noteworthy.
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LMU's highest-scoring team
The Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represents Loyola Marymount University in men's college basketball. The team has played in the NCAA Division I and the West Coast Conference (WCC) since 1955.
LMU's 1990 squad was the highest-scoring team in NCAA Division I history, with an average of 122 points per game. This record still stood as of October 2010. The team was led by coach Paul Westhead and powered by consensus Second-Team All-Americans Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble. Gathers became the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding in the same season, averaging 32.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. In the 1989–90 season, Kimble led the nation in scoring, averaging 35.3 points per game.
In the 1989–90 season, Gathers collapsed and died on the court due to a heart condition. Despite this tragedy, the team reached the Elite Eight in the 1990 NCAA tournament, achieving three postseason wins, including a 149–115 regional victory over Michigan that set NCAA men's tournament records for points by one team and combined points in a single game.
LMU's 1990 squad will be remembered not only for their exceptional scoring record but also for their resilience and dedication in honouring their teammate, Hank Gathers.
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LMU's head coaches
The Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team, also known as LMU, has had 27 head coaches in its 100-season history. The current head coach is Stan Johnson, who was appointed in March 2020. Johnson has led the Lions to two MTE (Multi-Team Event) Tournament titles: winning the Jamaica Classic in 2022 and the Cancun Challenge in 2024. Under his leadership, the team defeated BYU 64–59 in the conference home opener in January 2023, and went on to snap Gonzaga's 75-game home win streak later that month with a 68–67 victory. Johnson also led the Lions to a win over #15 Saint Mary's in February 2023, marking his second nationally-ranked win of the season.
Prior to Johnson, Mike Dunlap served as head coach of the Lions from 2014 until the end of the 2019-20 season. Dunlap was formerly the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. During Dunlap's tenure, the Lions made their last appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1990, where they advanced to the Elite Eight but lost to the national champion UNLV. This team was the highest-scoring in NCAA Division I history, with an average of 122 points per game.
LMU's early basketball history included two notable Lions, Pete Newell and Phil Woolpert, who went on to have successful coaching careers at other WCC schools. Newell coached the San Francisco Dons to the 1949 NIT title and the California Golden Bears to the 1959 NCAA tournament championship. He is considered one of the most influential coaches in history. Woolpert, meanwhile, was a classmate of Newell's at LMU, graduating with him in 1939.
The Lions burst onto the national basketball scene in the late 1980s under coach Paul Westhead. His teams led Division I in scoring in 1988, 1989, and 1990. As of October 2010, Loyola Marymount held the five highest combined scoring games in Division I history, with four of them occurring during Westhead's tenure.
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Frequently asked questions
Loyola Marymount University's basketball team competes in NCAA Division I.
The team plays in the West Coast Conference.
LMU joined the WCC in 1955.
The Loyola Marymount Lions have appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament five times.
The team has played its home games at the Gersten Pavilion since 1981.
