Lincoln University (CA) vs Loyola Marymount prediction: LMU tunes up its defense after a late exhibition gut punch
Loyola Marymount opens at Gersten Pavilion against a non-Division I visitor it routed last November, and the real interest is in what Stan Johnson's rebuilt rotation shows.
- Expect LMU to control this from the start, as it did in last season's rout, with the rotation and depth as the real story.
- LMU's interior defense, among the best in the country at guarding twos last season, against a Lincoln (CA) team with no Division I data.
- No spread or total has been posted. The number that frames it is last November's 137-54 LMU win in this same matchup.
Last November set the tone
On Nov. 3, 2025, Loyola Marymount beat Lincoln (CA) 137-54 at home. That result tells you most of what can be known about this game. Lincoln is not a Division I program, and nothing is known about its 2026-27 roster or recent results.
The Friday night tip at Gersten Pavilion is an early-season tuneup for LMU. The useful questions are about the Lions' own rotation, not the outcome.
The defense Johnson builds on
Stan Johnson enters his seventh season with a program that went 15-17 last season. Defense was the dependable part. LMU allowed 104.9 points per 100 possessions, 95th of 365, and held opponents to 47.1% on two-pointers, 31st nationally.
The offense lagged. LMU finished last season 227th in adjusted offensive efficiency, which measures points per 100 possessions adjusted for opponents, and it ranked 302nd in offensive rebound rate. How much of that roster returns isn't known. The official roster page lists freshmen JJ Harris, Donovan Miller and Zamir Paschal alongside returners such as Mazi Mosley and Jevon Porter. A lopsided opener is a chance to see who earns minutes.
A one-point exhibition lesson
LMU's most recent outing stung. The Lions led California 59-57 in their first preseason exhibition on Oct. 16 before Nojus Indrusaitis hit a three with seven seconds left to give Cal a 60-59 win. Losing by a single point to California in October isn't a reason to panic. Closing out tight games is another matter, and this opener won't test it.
What to watch
- Whether the freshmen get extended run in a game LMU should control
- LMU's work on the offensive glass, a weak spot last season
- How much the starters play once the margin grows
Numbers that matter
| Last meeting | 137-54 | LMU's home win over Lincoln (CA) on Nov. 3, 2025. |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent 2-point % (last season) | 47.1% | That ranked 31st nationally and anchored LMU's defense last season. |
| Adjusted offense rank (last season) | 227th | The offense is the part of LMU's game that has to improve this season. |
| Cal exhibition | 60-59 | LMU lost on a late three after leading by two. |
Lincoln University (CA) vs Loyola Marymount: quick answers
When is Lincoln University (CA) vs Loyola Marymount?
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET.