Pac-12 Basketball: What would a conference challenge look like?

Arizona State Sun Devils vs Grand Canyon Antelopes

This matchup could’ve been a rivalry game, but Arizona State has refused to play Grand Canyon. Their official statement invokes Grand Canyon’s status as a for-profit institution, but a possible desire to suppress their recruiting may also be a factor. So why not force them to play each other?

The Lopes are eligible for the NCAA Tournament after a four-year transition period to division one and could very well make it this year. Senior Josh Braun will be available after an injury-plagued season last year and add Oregon guard Casey Benson for his last season. Their goal is to become the next Gonzaga and this will be year one of their plan.

Bobby Hurley will enter his third season with the school and with a roster full of his players, his seat could get warmer if improvements aren’t made.

The two best players on this team, Tra Holden and Shannon Evans will be the senior veterans needed to help restructuring roster. The talent is there to make an at-large push, and beating a crosstown opponent will do great for recruiting.

In what could be the most emotional game of the lineup, Grand Canyon wants this more. Expect the student section from the Lopes called “The Havoc” to make an appearance in Vegas to give a little home-court advantage in this one.

Prediction: Grand Canyon