Grand Canyon Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Antelopes

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Grand Canyon Lopes fans cheer during the team's semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at the Orleans Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. GCU won 75-60. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

5 of 5

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: The Western Athletic Conference logo is shown on the court before the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Grand Canyon Lopes at the Orleans Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

How Grand Canyon can win the WAC

With perennial conference power New Mexico State losing a lot of firepower, including its top two players, there is a sense that the WAC title is there for the taking for the first time in a long time. The Aggies still look to be a top contender in the conference, but the Antelopes feel they are ready for the next step.

In the team’s first three league games of the season, the Lopes should get a good idea of where they stand. After hosting a Utah Valley team that finished 2nd last season, they welcome a Seattle Redhawks team that also has its eyes set on unseating New Mexico State.

After that, Majerle’s squad will have an early chance to exact its revenge on New Mexico State for the defeat in the WAC championship game last season, as the two teams will face off in Las Cruces on Jan. 10, in an early-season matchup that could impact seeding for the conference tournament.

The first three games of WAC play are even more important for Grand Canyon because if they can make a statement early against their main competitors, they will have a chance to keep the pressure on both the Aggies and the Redhawks. It will be a full month before they face either team again, as they host New Mexico State on Feb. 9.

Next. Predicting all regular season champs for 2018-19. dark

If the Antelopes want to be the new top dog in the WAC, they will have to get the jump on NMSU and Seattle early and then take advantage of the meat of their schedule before the return game with the Aggies, because they end their season with road games at Utah Valley and Seattle, which could either be a season-ending statement by a new league champ, or two nerve-wracking games that could decide things.