USF coach Evans to get first look at WCC opponents
USF coach Jessie Evans says playing the West Coast Conference's two Los Angeles schools on the road would be a tough challenge for anyone.
That's especially true for a coach making his conference debut, and with two of his regulars day-to-day with injuries.
The Dons open conference play tonight at Loyola Marymount, facing a team that is apparently ready to leave its doormat days behind.
The Lions, picked as a lower division team before the season, are a somewhat surprising 8-5. They're coming off their first winning season under fifth-year coach Steve Aggers.
"They've got momentum with them," Evans said.
The Dons come in 9-4 and possibly without starting point guard Andre Hazel, who hasn't played since injuring a knee Dec. 18 at Pacific, and forward Johnny Dukes, who sprained his ankle before Tuesday's win over Penn.
Both could play, but no decision will be made until closer to game time.
Evans said the Lions are driven by guards Charles Brown (12.1 points per game) and Brandon Worthy (11.5). Both are threats from the perimeter and Brown leads the team with 23 3-pointers. On the inside, Matthew Knight leads LMU in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (6.4).
"We've got to defend them on the perimeter and find a way to compete inside," Evans said.
The trip gets tougher Sunday when the Dons visit Pepperdine, 10-5 in nonconference games and expected to contend for the WCC title.
"They have very, very athletic players and they're very good," Evans said.
He was especially wary of Yakhouba Diawara (14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds), calling him "possibly the best inside man in the conference."
The Dons had a seven-game win streaking until losing at Texas Tech on Jan. 1.
The Dons feature the conference leader in scoring, guard John Cox, who is averaging 20.9 points per game.
USF coach Jessie Evans says playing the West Coast Conference's two Los Angeles schools on the road would be a tough challenge for anyone.
That's especially true for a coach making his conference debut, and with two of his regulars day-to-day with injuries.
The Dons open conference play tonight at Loyola Marymount, facing a team that is apparently ready to leave its doormat days behind.
The Lions, picked as a lower division team before the season, are a somewhat surprising 8-5. They're coming off their first winning season under fifth-year coach Steve Aggers.
"They've got momentum with them," Evans said.
The Dons come in 9-4 and possibly without starting point guard Andre Hazel, who hasn't played since injuring a knee Dec. 18 at Pacific, and forward Johnny Dukes, who sprained his ankle before Tuesday's win over Penn.
Both could play, but no decision will be made until closer to game time.
Evans said the Lions are driven by guards Charles Brown (12.1 points per game) and Brandon Worthy (11.5). Both are threats from the perimeter and Brown leads the team with 23 3-pointers. On the inside, Matthew Knight leads LMU in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (6.4).
"We've got to defend them on the perimeter and find a way to compete inside," Evans said.
The trip gets tougher Sunday when the Dons visit Pepperdine, 10-5 in nonconference games and expected to contend for the WCC title.
"They have very, very athletic players and they're very good," Evans said.
He was especially wary of Yakhouba Diawara (14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds), calling him "possibly the best inside man in the conference."
The Dons had a seven-game win streaking until losing at Texas Tech on Jan. 1.
The Dons feature the conference leader in scoring, guard John Cox, who is averaging 20.9 points per game.
