COLLEGE BASKETBALL 1995-96 : Olive Trying to Add His Own Flavor : Loyola Marymount: Lions haven’t done well under his leadership, but coach is looking for brighter days ahead.

Loyola Marymount Coach John Olive says he is not concerned about the 26-56 record the Lions posted under his leadership the last three seasons.

Nor is he concerned about losing his job.

He was hired to bring respectability back to an ailing basketball program and, he says, he is doing just that.

“When I took over, the program was fairly down,” Olive says. “The great teams of the past [Paul Westhead’s teams from 1985-90] had moved on, the players graduated. Recruiting had been poor. We were in the aftermath of Hank [Gathers, and the lawsuits pending after his death]. We played an entire season with an interim coach [Jay Hillock in 1990-91]. We had a lot of things to overcome.”

Fair enough.

But here he is, in the fourth year of a five-year contract, and he has yet to enjoy a winning season.

The Lions showed promise at times last season, with road victories over Santa Clara and St. Mary’s--the top two finishers in the West Coast Conference--and they posted a 13-15 overall record, their best under Olive. But they stumbled in league play, finishing tied for sixth at 4-10.

Olive had better be concerned about this season.

The Lions are a young team, but finally experienced and talented enough to compete with the rest of the league. They have no more excuses, despite losing starters Wyking Jones and Robin Kirksey.

Nigerian Ime Oduok, the lone senior, whose basketball experience until coming to this country five years ago was limited mostly to pickup games in his bare feet, has progressed well.

The 6-foot-9 center, who averaged 12.6 points and nine rebounds last year, is certainly more than the mere “presence” under the boards he was when he came to the school as a sophomore transfer from Pacific Christian after the 1991-92 season.

“He’s a complete player now,” Olive says. “I never thought he’d become the offensive player he is so fast, but he’s a great athlete and a quick learner.”

Jimmy Williamson, a 5-10 junior point guard, started all 28 games, led the team in minutes, three-point baskets, assists and steals. He averaged a career-best 10.5 points and five assists.

Mike O’Quinn, a 6-5 junior forward, is the school’s top returning scorer. He averaged 13 points last season and went out on a high note with 19 second-half points as the Lions stunned Santa Clara, 87-83, in the first game of the WCC tournament.

These three will be counted on to play leadership roles as well this season. Kenny Hotopp, a 6-10 sophomore who played a limited role last season, will get a chance to prove himself with time at forward. John Anthony and Ben Ammerman, both 6-7 forwards, also return.

But Olive is counting on a few newcomers to make an immediate impact. Most prominent among them is Terryl Woolery, a former Fairfax High star who was supposed to make an immediate impact last season as a freshman.

Woolery was suspended the entire season for violating the team conduct code. He violated team rules again earlier this year and Olive has suspended him for the Lions’ first nine games.

Olive won’t say what Woolery did, citing school policy, but says he hasn’t given up on the 6-4 guard.

If Woolery returns on schedule, in time for WCC play, he figures to vie for and eventually win a spot in the starting lineup, as a shooting guard who can also spell Williamson, if needed, at point guard.

Williamson will appreciate the help--he played an average of 37 minutes last year and it showed as the season drew to a close.

Other notable newcomers are Julian Hammond, a 6-2 guard who averaged 37 points as a senior at Aurora Christian Academy in Denver; Will Jones, a 6-5 sophomore forward who was also suspended last season; and Tim Kennedy, a 6-5 product of San Mateo Serra High who can shoot from the perimeter and will probably get time at guard and forward.

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Loyola Marymount Facts and Figures

ROSTER

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No Player Pos Hgt Wgt Yr 11 Willie Allen G 6-0 170 Fr. 33 Ben Ammerman F 6-7 210 So. 32 John Anthony F 6-7 195 Jr. 24 Chris Evelyn G 6-1 175 Fr. 22 Julian Hammond G 6-2 175 Fr. 53 Kenny Hotopp C 6-10 200 So 13 Will Jones F 6-5 230 So. 4 Tim Kennedy F. 6-5 195 Fr. 25 Michael Mulry G 6-0 170 So. 3 Mike O’Quinn F 6-5 215 Jr. 14 Ime Oduok F 6-9 250 Sr. 45 Jason Perry F 6-8 230 Fr. 12 Jim Williamson G 5-10 160 Jr. 40 Terryl Woolery G 6-4 195 So.

No Comment 11 Hacienda Heights prep 33 Sacramento prep 32 3.1 points a game 24 La Canada prep 22 Denver prep 53 Top returning free throw shooter 13 Chicago prep 4 Northern California prep 25 Played 22 minutes 3 13 points a game, shot 48% from field 14 All-conference shot 58% from field 45 Washington prep 12 10.5 points a game, assists leader (142) 40 Los Angeles prep

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SCHEDULE

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Date Opponent Time Today Sonoma State 7:00 Nov. 26 Seattle 3:00 Nov. 28 San Diego State 7:00 Dec. 2 Nevada Las Vegas 7:00 Dec. 4 USC 7:00 Dec. 9 UC Santa Barbara 7:00 Dec. 16 at CS Fullerton 7:30 Dec. 19 Hawaii (Hawaii Festival) 10:00 Dec. 20 Hawaii Festival TBA Dec. 28 at Loyola Chicago 5:30 Dec. 30 at Notre Dame 11:00 a.m. Jan .6 at Northern Arizona 6:30 Jan. 11 at San Francisco 7:00 Jan. 13 at San Diego 7:00 Jan. 19 Santa Clara 7:00 Jan. 20 St. Mary’s 7:00 Jan. 23 Cal Poly SLO 7:00 Jan. 26 at St. Mary’s 7:30 Jan. 27 at Santa Clara 7:00 Feb. 2 Gonzaga 7:00 Feb. 3 Portland 7:00 Feb. 8 at Portland 7:00 Feb. 11 at Gonzaga 2:00 Feb. 14 at Pepperdine 7:30 Feb. 17 Pepperdine 7:30 Feb. 23 San Diego 7:00 Feb. 24 San Francisco 7:00 Feb. 27 at CS Northridge 7:00 Mar. 2-4 WCC Tournament at Santa Clara TBA

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All times Pacific and p.m. unless noted.

Coach:John Olive, 4th season at Loyola. 26-56.

1994-95 Team Record: 4-10 in WCC (6th tie), 13-15 overall.