Game Day Essentials: Game #11 vs Loyola Marymount

Loyola Marymount Info

Head Coach: Mike Dunlap

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Conference: West Coast

Nickname: Lions

Last time out: Lost to Wichita St.

Typical Rotation Depth: 8-9 players

Tempo: Middling

Offensive Style: Running shot clock working inside

Defensive Style: Smoke and mirrors

Opening Line: Nebraska by 8

Loyola Marymount? - Yes, this is the school where Paul Westhead put together a high scoring squad that took the nation by storm. Star player Hank Gathers tragically died on the court during the year and his teammates shot free throws left-handed in tribute.

Mike Dunlap? - Dunlap was oddly named as the coach of the Charlotte Bobcats for the 2012-13 season. He was fired after one year and signed on to become the coach at LMU.

Player to Watch

Evan Payne: The little Sophomore dynamo is the defacto scoring option for the Lions. Not only does he lead the team in shot attempts but he's one of the nation's best at making his way to the foul line. He also had the following highlight during a beatdown loss from Wichita State:

The Skinny

The Huskers can't hang on to the ball and it's turning from a statistic into a gameplan tactic for opponents. When the Huskers made Hawaii run a set offense it was a struggle for the Warriors to score. The press and ball pressure generated enough easy baskets for an off night at the free throw line to make the difference between having a chance and losing.

Instead of facing Wichita St in a possible tourney boosting game the Huskers find themselves in a game against a bad Loyola Marymount team. A loss against a team that will struggle to win 10 games would be a tourney killer for the Huskers.

Mike Dunlap's Lions are going to attempt to work into the paint on every possession, something the Huskers are built to stop. On defense expect some 1-3-1 zone which should cause the Huskers some fits because they just don't shoot very well. The Lions don't really turn people over though...if Nebraska has another 20 turnover game we probably need to schedule an intervention.

This should be an easy enough game for Nebraska to win but nothing they've done this year has really been easy. Huskers win this one but probably yet another self-inflicted struggle.

Prediction: Nebraska 66 - Loyola Marymount 59