Grand Canyon Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Antelopes

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 14: Head coach Dan Majerle of the Grand Canyon Lopes reacts during the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Lopes 64-54. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 14: Head coach Dan Majerle of the Grand Canyon Lopes reacts during the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Lopes 64-54. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Grand Canyon basketball looks poised to make their first NCAA Tournament this season. Is that a realistic goal for the Antelopes?

When the Antelopes of Grand Canyon arrived in Division-I basketball five years ago, they had aspirations of becoming one of the top mid-major programs in the country. But don’t look at them as the ultimate “underdog” because of their conference affiliation. The program came into the top division with the money and resources that other small schools can only dream of.

Their hire of former NBA standout Dan Majerle gave Grand Canyon instant credibility as a basketball program. He has already led the school to the top of the Western Athletic Conference standings and has created an interesting rivalry with New Mexico State.

Unfortunately for us, we’ve never seen these two programs face each other in the conference tournament due to the fact that new Division-I programs are not eligible for postseason play during their first four seasons. New Mexico State has been taking advantage of Grand Canyon not competing in the conference tournament by making trips to the NCAA Tournament themselves.

For Grand Canyon, this past season was filled with trials and tribulations. They suffered injuries to several key players throughout the year and criticisms surrounding their “for profit” status earned the ire of school presidents. But thanks to the stellar play of senior guard Dewayne Russell and his 21.2 ppg, the Antelopes finished second in the WAC with an 11-3 conference record.

The ‘Lopes only lost two players this off-season, but Russell and big man Darion Clark were great contributors to the program. Replacing them won’t be easy but the team now has everyone healthy for this year. In addition, they have added a player who not only has March Madness experience but just recently made the Final Four.