Grand Canyon Basketball: Expectations will be high for Antelopes in 2017-2018
By Doug Winkey
Grand Canyon basketball begins its first season of full NCAA eligibility. What are the expectations for the Antelopes this coming season?
Grand Canyon basketball has been an under-the-radar program for several years while they finished their probation as part of transitioning to D-1 hoops. That should change for the WAC school as they position themselves for a postseason run this coming season. The Antelopes will be one of the most exciting stories to track in 2017-2018. Consider them a potential “Northern Kentucky-type” program.
Josh Braun will key the ‘Lopes charge. The senior swing man returns with a team-leading 17.5 points and a respectable 4.6 rebounds per contest. His game included a fantastic 42% from outside as well. Braun’s versatility gives Dan Majerle, once an NBA associate head coach in Phoenix, a potential All-WAC performer around which to build his offense. Braun will have solid help in the form of forward Keonta Vernon (9.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Oregon graduate transfer Casey Benson (4.9 ppg, 40% 3pt).
The biggest factor favoring GCU’s high ceiling is a strong defensive scheme. Last year’s group finished the year 90th in adjusted defense. That is not great, but it did put the team just above NCAA qualifiers USC and Nevada. In the conference, it was good for third among WAC programs. That defensive focus, coupled with a moderate tempo, should put Grand Canyon in a position to compete most nights. The Antelopes have a couple intriguing nonconference matchups against rebuilding St. John’s and powerhouse Louisville in December. Those two are definitely games to watch prior to WAC play.
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The postseason won’t come easily for the Phoenix-based program. New Mexico State, Cal-Bakersfield, and Utah Valley all have legitimate designs on the NCAA Tournament this year. However, the talent is there to make GCU a contender in its first year of eligibility.