The Virginia Cavaliers face their first road test as they make a cross country trek to Gersten Pavilion to meet the improved Loyola Marymount Lions. UVA is undefeated but largely untested, with their ONLY quality victory coming against a young Minnesota team at home. The Cavaliers have played all of their games at home, or close to home, and their competition level has been mediocre at best.
The Lions come in off their best start in years. With the exception of one stinker game against UNLV, LMU has been very competitive against an admirable roster of opponents. LMU has also shown toughness in pulling out road wins at Denver in double OT and barely falling to crosstown rival UCLA in OT as well. LMU has been in several close games this year, pulling out a few, which should be of benefit in this nip and tuck encounter.
Those suggesting UVA is much more athletic than the Lions need to take into account the fact the Cavaliers have not really run away from anybody with the exception of lesser lights VMI and JMU and also displayed a tendency to let teams back in games, which could be dangerous against the battle-tested Lions.
UVA freshman Gary Forbes will be the most explosive athlete on the court, but will also be facing his first true road test, never a good sign for a newcomer.
LMU appears to have the ability to neutralize the higher touted Cavaliers on the boards as UVA does not have an exceptionally tall lineup. Their best rebounder is on again, off again performer Elton Brown. Keeping Lion center Chris Ayer out of foul trouble should be a priority for Coach Steve Aggers.
The coaching matchup appears to be even as Gillen has regressed since being a highly touted star from Xavier. Aggers finally seems to have the wheels in motion on the bluff in Westchester and the student body is responding by providing much needed backing for the resurgent Lions.
The guess here is the cross country trip and first hostile environment will be too much for Gillen's troops and Aggers' Lions pull off the minor upset at home.
Green Doberman speaks :
LMU money line winner over UVA.
Disclaimer: The writer tried to remain impartial, but please bear in mind Green did attend LMU for a time.
The Lions come in off their best start in years. With the exception of one stinker game against UNLV, LMU has been very competitive against an admirable roster of opponents. LMU has also shown toughness in pulling out road wins at Denver in double OT and barely falling to crosstown rival UCLA in OT as well. LMU has been in several close games this year, pulling out a few, which should be of benefit in this nip and tuck encounter.
Those suggesting UVA is much more athletic than the Lions need to take into account the fact the Cavaliers have not really run away from anybody with the exception of lesser lights VMI and JMU and also displayed a tendency to let teams back in games, which could be dangerous against the battle-tested Lions.
UVA freshman Gary Forbes will be the most explosive athlete on the court, but will also be facing his first true road test, never a good sign for a newcomer.
LMU appears to have the ability to neutralize the higher touted Cavaliers on the boards as UVA does not have an exceptionally tall lineup. Their best rebounder is on again, off again performer Elton Brown. Keeping Lion center Chris Ayer out of foul trouble should be a priority for Coach Steve Aggers.
The coaching matchup appears to be even as Gillen has regressed since being a highly touted star from Xavier. Aggers finally seems to have the wheels in motion on the bluff in Westchester and the student body is responding by providing much needed backing for the resurgent Lions.
The guess here is the cross country trip and first hostile environment will be too much for Gillen's troops and Aggers' Lions pull off the minor upset at home.
Green Doberman speaks :
LMU money line winner over UVA.
Disclaimer: The writer tried to remain impartial, but please bear in mind Green did attend LMU for a time.
