COLLEGE BASKETBALL: 1993-94 SEASON PREVIEW : A Roar Unlikely From These Lions : West Coast Conference: Rebuilding Loyola Marymount, with a small but athletic front court, will be tested during a tough early schedule.

“Restore the roar” has become the catch phrase for the Loyola Marymount basketball team, which suffered a collapse last season that reduced the Lions to whimpering cubs.

But second-year Coach John Olive, whose long-term expectations are high, knows it will take more than snappy slogans for the Lions to return to respectability.

“Most people have picked us anywhere from fifth to eighth (in the West Coast Conference),” Olive said. “I think that is probably pretty fair. It’s probably where we deserve to be. We have a lot of work to do.

“But we expect a good showing. We’re going to be a better basketball team than last season.”

That’s not saying much. Loyola lost its last 10 games, 13 of its last 14 and finished at 7-20 last season, the school’s worst record since a 3-24 mark in 1981-82. The Lions also finished last in the eight-team WCC with a 2-12 mark, and shot a dismal 42.6%.

With a demanding nonconference schedule, there is no indication that Loyola will pull out of a tailspin soon.

The Lions, lacking height and an experienced floor leader, open the season Saturday against 14th-ranked UCLA at Pauley Pavilion. The last time the teams met, in 1991, the Bruins rolled to a 106-80 victory.

After UCLA, Loyola plays, in order, USC, 25th-ranked Wisconsin, San Jose State, Nevada Las Vegas, UC Santa Barbara, San Diego State and Texas A&M.; UCLA, USC, Wisconsin, UNLV and Santa Barbara played in postseason tournaments last season.

“My coaches tell me I’ve committed schedulecide,” Olive said.

Rather than dreading the challenges, Olive says that playing tough teams early will help Loyola prepare for conference play.

“I want these young men to feel what it’s like playing that caliber of competition,” he said. “If it means we have to take our lumps and learn a little bit along the way, then so be it.”

Loyola’s strength lies in a small but athletic front court. Forward Zan Mason, a 6-foot-7 senior who played his first two collegiate seasons at UCLA, returns after earning All-WCC honors and leading the Lions with averages of 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds. On the down side, he also led the team with 107 turnovers.

Mason’s supporting cast is led by 6-4 senior Rahim Harris and 6-5 junior Robin Kirksey, two returning wing players who excel at the transition game. Center Wyking Jones, a 6-7 junior, must step up after two inconsistent seasons as a reserve.

With 6-10 freshman Ken Hotopp being redshirted, the Lions will play their first three games with no player taller than 6-7. Sophomore Ime Odouk, a 6-9, 230-pound forward from Nigeria, becomes eligible the second week in December after transferring from Pacific Christian College in Fullerton.

Many of Loyola’s problems last season stemmed from not having a true point guard. Olive filled the void by signing two high school standouts, 6-0 Jimmy Harris from Huntington Beach Ocean View and 5-10 Jim Williamson from South Torrance. Williamson’s father, Duane, played for Loyola in the early ‘70s.

Olive hopes that Harris and Williamson, who have split time in exhibitions, can help Loyola fast break better.

Highly regarded freshman Mike O’Quinn, a 6-5 swingman from Pasadena Muir, also figures to get considerable playing time.

Senior Bill Mazurie, who played point guard last season, will come off the bench at shooting guard, as will 6-6 senior Ross Richardson.