WCC Basketball: Gonzaga finally has challengers

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March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions guard Brandon Brown (10) against the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the second half of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Loyola Marymount Lions

2015-2016 record: 14-17 overall (6-12 WCC)

Head coach: Mike Dunlap

Key losses: Adom Jacko, Marin Mornar, David Humphries, Joshua Spiers

Key returning Ppayers: Brandon Brown, Steven Haney, Shamar Johnson, Munis Tutu, Petr Herman, Buay Tuach

Newcomers: Three-star guard Donald Gipson, Mattias Markusson, Stefan Jovanovic (transfer from Hawaii)

Leading scorer Adom Jacko jumped to the pro ranks, but Loyola Marymount has a deep, experienced team that can move this program in the right direction. Five regulars and several reserves have the task of improving on a 6-12 WCC record from last year.

Point guard Brandon Brown and swing man Steven Haney are the two biggest threats based on last year from the outside. Both put up double-digit scoring numbers with Brown adding nearly six assists a game. Haney didn’t do much besides score, but he shot over 35 percent from deep.

The other returning guys typically weren’t scoring threats, but they are all likely rotation pieces with another year of experience under their belts.

Donald Gipson is one of the better newcomers and will battle Buay Tuach and deep reserve Jeff McClendon at shooting guard.

Mattias Markusson is an intriguing piece at over 7’0″ tall, but the more important new face might be Hawaii transfer Stefan Jovanovic. The senior averaged nearly five points and four boards a night for the Rainbow Warriors. He doesn’t have overpowering talent, but he looks like a steady interior presence for a team that doesn’t have many established threats down low. If Loyola can develop more consistency, they look like a tough defensive team to take down.