College Basketball: Loyola Marymount at Texas El Paso

Loyola Marymount heads to El Paso with a real chance to grab an early road win—something the Lions managed only three times last season. This group looks markedly better: longer on the wings, deeper in the rotation, and the most athletic team of the Stan Johnson era. That profile travels. LMU can switch more actions, contest above the rim, and keep pressure on the glass without sacrificing transition defense. It’s also the right time to catch UTEP. The Miners are a fresh mix still sorting roles and late-game chemistry, and early November usually exposes those seams—especially against a team that can run in waves and survive foul trouble.

Path to victory is straightforward: win first contact on the boards, force UTEP into half-court execution, and turn defensive stands into controlled tempo rather than a track meet. If the Lions keep turnovers down and stack extra shots via offensive rebounds, they’re live wire to wire. Slight lean LMU to notch a confidence-building road result.

Pick:
Loyola Marymount 76
UTEP 70