By Austin Montgomery and Jacob Allen.
The Grand Canyon University Antelopes will be the biggest story of college basketball this season. The 2017-2018 season marks the first year of eligibility for the NCAA’s first “for profit” university. GCU is home to the best student section in the country, and they will finally be able to go crazy watching their team play for a shot at the Big Dance in March.
Here at the Student Union Sports page we couldn’t be more excited for Lopes fans as we have been supporters Antelopes since day one: http://www.studentunionsports.com/college-basketball/gcu-basketball-an-unexpected-journey/authorstudentunion.
GCU truly has the best fans in all of college basketball. Over the last four years, GCU basketball students and fans have been anxiously waiting for the 2017-2018 basketball season to tip off. That day has finally come and GCU officially opens their season tonight against FAMU at GCU Arena in Phoenix.
GCU has steadily built momentum over the last four years to become the most interesting program in college basketball. During the 4 year probation period, the Antelopes posted an impressive 81-46 record – the most wins for any D-1 school during the 4 year transition-period since 2002. In that span, the Lopes have captured wins against notable college basketball programs such as: Houston, New Mexico, New Mexico St (2) San Diego St (2) and a near upset of the #14 Louisville Cardinals.
GCU has a rockstar head coach in 14 year NBA veteran and three time All Star Dan Majerle. Majerle is a Phoenix sports icon after playing 9 years with the Suns and being inducted to the Suns Ring of honor as well as the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. Majerle also owns a successful restaurant chain in Phoenix. GCU also has NBA Hall of Fame executive-Jerry Colangelo as its top advisor. You don’t see that type of NBA connection at any other mid major school.
Moreover, Majerle’s success at GCU hasn’t gone unnoticed. Majerle’s name has constantly been swirling in both college and NBA coaching rumour mills. But Thunder Dan seems pretty content with his job at GCU based on his constantly knocking down rumours. Majerle is focusing on making GCU a Top 25 program and making GCU the next mid-major powerhouse like Gonzaga or Wichita State.
When you step foot in the GCU Arena during a game, you would think that the Lopes were playing to be the number one team in the country.
GCU has created a rabid fan base and one of the best home court advantages in all of college basketball. The Havocs are a reaking bunch that are led by students, and brings a pre-game party unlike any other Division 1 school.
The team and the Havocs are back…and we're better than ever😈 pic.twitter.com/MVhRMfk9W8
— GCU Havocs (@GCUHavocs) November 3, 2017
Season Outlook
Dan Majerle enters his first season of postseason eligibility with the most talented team he has had. GCU returns most of their starters and key reserves from a team that went 22-9 and finished in a 2nd place tie in the WAC standings.
GCU also adds multiple key additions including Oregon grad transfer Casey Benson. In addition, The Lopes added two 6’10 stretch forwards from Europe in Robert Bloomberg and Alessandro Lever – both European prospects who chose GCU over Power 5 programs. This provides Dan Majerle quality length that he has never had before.
The Lopes are talented and deep team that possess 8-11 guys who can all play at a high level. GCU is the preseason favorite to win the conference after receiving six first place votes in the WAC preseason coaches poll.
I see the Lopes dominating their schedule this year. There is no reason they shouldn’t win 25 games against the schedule they are playing.
Their most notable nonconference games include:
December 5 v. St. Johns @ Talking Stick Arena (neutral site).
December 13 @ Boise State.
December 23 @ Louisville.
December 30 @ Illinois.
The Antelopes won’t be having high-profile teams coming to play them anytime soon. That’s because news of their crazy Grand Canyon student section known as the “Havocs” has become known among athletic programs across the country.
The Lopes host 17 games in the GCU Arena, but none are notable Home games where the Havocs can show the world what they are really about-but this basketball team is a different story. The Lopes have an experienced bunch that has length, as well as a bench that should perform very well.
Dan Majerle has quite the bunch this year, and the players that will be fun to watch will be Senior Guard, Josh Braun; Oregon Grad Transfer, Casey Benson; and Sophomore Forward, Oscar Frayer.
Key Players:
Josh Braun:
The Preseason WAC player of the year is arguably the conference’s best player and is a top contender to win the Lou Henson award- given to the nation’s best mid-major player. Despite a season decimated by injuries, Braun had a productive junior year, averaging 17.4 and 4.4 rebounds per game. Braun is a versatile player who is a sharp shooter from the perimeter and can score from the post. He has also shown the ability to play both the 2 and the 3. Majerle can even place Braun at 4 when implementing small lineups – a position he was forced to play most of his freshmen year. Braun will be the focal point of GCU’s dynamic offense. Look for him to light up the scoreboard this season.
Casey Benson:
Benson is easily the biggest transfer in the Dan Majerle era at GCU. After Benson announced plans to transfer after graduating from Oregon in June, there was little speculation of where he is going to end up given his brother T.J. is a current assistant on the coaching staff at Grand Canyon. Benson will try to replace the production left by leading scorer DeWayne Russell. Benson is a guard that will provide leadership, flow and stability to the GCU offense. He is a steady ball handler who averaged three assists per game over 3 years at Oregon. Benson has also shown the capability to score when called upon, shooting 40% from 3 point range and 44% from the field. His usage should rise dramatically with the Lopes this year. Benson is capable of having a WAC MVP season as well.
Oscar Frayer
Frayer is going to be my player to keep an eye on this year to make leaps and bounds for this Antelope squad. He is a 6’7 Forward that started 25 games last year as a Freshman, averaging 7.9 points a game and leading the team in blocks.
This kid could be the key to the Lopes season because they are expecting big things from their most talented roster ever. His length at the forward position makes him dangerous driving to the rim and either finishing hard, or kicking it out to the sharp shooters.
It’s ova wit..I’m bout to average 40😂👀 https://t.co/X1Fj9OlFbd
— Oscar Proud #⃣4⃣ (@Oscar_Frayer) November 6, 2017
I love when athletes are active on social media because it makes our job that much easier. He said he was going to average 40 points after the College Roster for 2k came out. I am going to just say that everyone’s average in 2k is probably 50% of what it actually is, and he’s calling his shots out here.
I won’t doubt him either. Oscar will average 20 points this year, filling the void of PG Dewayne Russell.
Final Takeaway:
The Lopes are playing with high expectations and high stakes going into their first season of postseason eligibility. It is safe to say the 2017-2018 basketball season is the “Year of the Antelope” because this is the year the Grand Canyon Antelopes make their splash on the national basketball stage. The Lopes have the two best players in their conference and should have no problem making it to the NCAA tournament.
The Lopes are hoping to become the top program in Western Athletic conference, dethroning the New Mexico St Aggies – a program who has dominated the WAC over the last decade. The Lopes have a rabid fan base that is crazy on the court and is active on social media. They have an iconic head coach with a legendary nickname, “Thunder Dan”.
The GCU basketball program and their fans have been preparing for this season for four long years and it’s finally here. No more meaningless games, moral victories, no more waiting outside the dance. The 2017-2018 basketball season is the year for the Grand Canyon Antelopes. Finally, the Lopes are ready to earn their invite to the big dance.