Next season the cougs will have a new look. Jackson Emery will have graduated and Jimmer will have taken his talents to the next level. For those who might not be completely informed here's a quick overview of what the cougs will be embracing this next season in the new conference affiliation.
Gonzaga is a private Catholic university located in Spokane Washington that was established in 1887. The campus houses 105 buildings across 131 acres along the Spokane River. The university offers 92 fields and 26 graduate programs. It ranked third in the 2009 US News and World Report for Master's Universities in the west. The basketball games are held in the McCarthey Athletic Center which seats 6000 and they like the cougs don't often lose there winning over 90 percent of the matchups coached by Mark Few. Interestingly, one of his assistants is former team north coach Ray Giacolleti. The arena opened in 2004 and has housed various events/concerts as switchfoot, yellowcard, ben folds, bill cosby and jeff foxworthy. Its school colors are blue and white. Their mascot is spike the bulldog. Most might remember names as John Stockton, Adam Morrison and Ronny Turiaf.
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a private Roman Catholic University based in Los Angeles that was founded in 1911. LMU was ranked 4th for "Best universities with master's programs in the west" by US News and World Report in 2008. Many will recall the 1990 hoop team led by Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble when the tragedy struck in the WCC tourney. Gathers collapsed during a game and died due to a previously diagnosed heart condition. Playing admirably for their fallen teammate, the Lions were able to advance to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual champs UNLV. The cougs hoopsters will matchup against the Lions at the Gersten Pavilion which seats 4156 built in 1981 which also serves as the part time practice home for the LA Lakers. The pavilion was also the site for the weightlifting competition of the 1984 Summer Olympics. LMU's basketball coach is Max Good who led the lions to a 18-16 record for the 2009-2010 season. The school colors are crimson and navy while its mascot is Iggy The Lion.
Pepperdine University is an independent private university 830 acre campus near Malibu California affiliated with the Churches of Christ that was established in 1937. Its school colors are blue and orange and they are known as the waves. Its mascot is Willy The Wave. The university was recently ranked by the Sears Cup as having the most successful athletic program for non football Division I schools. Many may have seen the youtube video of Keion Bell's dunk which has topped over a million views. The waves are coached by Tom Asbury who is in his eighth year with Pepperdine.
Portland University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland founded in 1091. It has a student body of about 3600 students. The womens soccer program has been highly successful winning the 2002 and 2005 Division I NCAA Womens Championships. The university also boasts one of the nations top NCAA Division I mens cross country teams coached by Rob Conner which has won 31 straight WCC Championships, one of the longest active conference championships streaks in the NCAA. On the national level Portland University has finished in the top ten at the NCAA Championships four times. Its colors and purple and white. The nickname is the pilots and the mascot is known as Wally The Pilot. Portland basketball coach Eric Reveno is in his fourth year with the Pilots.
Saint Mary's is a private college located in Moraga, California, a small suburban community approximately 10 miles east of Oakland and covers about 420 acres. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Mary's was ranked the 12th best college to fulfill a Master's Degree in the West by US News and World Report in 2009. Its hoopsters received at large bids to the big dance of March Madness in both 2005 and 2008. In 2008, the team at one point had the longest active winning streak in the nation. Its school colors and red white and blue. Saint mary's nickname is the gaels and the mascot is known as Gael Force One. The gaels basketball coach Randy Bennett is in his 9th season with the university and has guided SMC to 4 post season appearances. He has certainly helped turn a program around and restore excitement to the stands. With the team’s 28 wins in 2009-2010, Bennett has led the Gaels to three straight 25-win seasons.
San Diego University is a Roman Catholic University establied in 1949. Its motto is Emitte Spiritum Tuum which means "send forth thy spirit". The school colors are navy blue and white. Its mascot is the toreros. Jenny Craig Pavilion is a 5100 seat multi purpose arena built in 2000 and is sometimes affectionately known as the "slim gym". Coach Bill Grier is looking to rebuild from a 11-21 record in 2009-2010 season.
San Francisco University is a private Jesuit university that was founded in 1855. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the eighth largest Jesuit university in the United States. Its colors are green and gold. The mascot is the Don. The cougs will hold court at the Koret Health and Recreation Center (the Koret Center as called by the students and staff) facing off against the Dons led by coach Rex Walters and former NBA player.
Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit affiliated university founded in 1851. It is the oldest operating institution of higher learning in California and the oldest Catholic university in the west. In 2008 the mens rugby team made it to the National Playoffs before falling to Utah Valley State. Its colors are red and white while the nickname is the broncos. Its mascot is Bucky the Bronco. The broncos basketball coach Kerry Keating is in his third year.
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