The Loyola Marymount Lions (1-0) will host the UC Riverside Highlander (0-1) on Thursday night in a non-conference meeting on the west coast.
UC Riverside was selected to finish fifth amongst 11 teams in the Big West conference preseason coaches poll. In the preseason rankings on si.com, UC Riverside is rated 191 out of 363 teams. Expected to lead the way is all-conference performer Zyon Pullin, a 6'4 senior guard who averaged 14.3 ppg last season.
First Asian-American to lead a Division I program.
Highest @BigWestHoops seed in program history. @RisingCoaches speaker.?????? ??. ???????? ?????????? ????????????.
Congrats, @coachsonic! #GoHighlanders pic.twitter.com/uWiVry89l7
— UCR Men's Basketball (@UCRMBB) April 1, 2021
The Highlanders opened the season on Monday with an 82-66 loss as an 11-point underdog against Colorado. Pullin led the team with 17 points, followed by 6'5 Flynn Cameron adding 11 points and seven boards. UC Riverside shot 40.3% (29-72) from the floor and just 19% (4-21) on threes, and 4 for 10 (40%) on free throws.
UC Riverside finished 16-12 last season and 9-6 in their conference. The Highlander head coach Mike Magpayo enters his third season with a 30-20 career record.