WCC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03: Zafir Williams #1 of the Loyola Marymount Lions is guarded by Killian Tillie #33 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during a quarterfinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 3, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 83-69. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

The Lions, who had a relatively promising start, finished 8th in the WCC and don’t appear to have an improved outlook this year.

Despite losing just one player, second leading scorer Steven Haney, Head Coach Mike Dunlap has failed to capitalize on the recruiting trail. The additions of freshmen Dameane Douglas and Ivan Alipiev do not provide LMU with the type of production they need to move into the middle of the WCC

The Lions roster will be led by senior guard James Batemon, who finished fourth in the WCC in points per game and fifth in assists per game. Batemon will be joined by Eli Scott and Mattias Markusson who were both regular starters for the Lions last season.

Zafir Williams, Cameron Allen, Jefferey McClendon and Erik Johansson all saw regular minutes last season and should once again find themselves in the Lions rotation. Joe Quintana and Donald Gipson did not see the minutes or production many were hoping for them, but their roles could increase with the loss of Haney.

Perhaps the biggest news for LMU is the return of Petr Herman, who was granted an additional year of eligibility after playing in just one game last season due to injury. Herman should be a mainstay at the power forward position, providing efficient scoring from the paint and solid work on the boards.

It is unfortunate that LMU has not found success tapping into the basketball talent found in Los Angeles, and that has severely affected their ability to compete in the WCC. Without any impactful transfers or highly regarded freshmen joining the roster, the 2018-19 season will probably be a repeat of last season.