Grand Canyon University Lopes Are Rising
The Grand Canyon University Lopes are led by Head Coach Dan Majerle as well as star player DeWayne Russell. The Lopes are in the final year of transition to NCAA DI. This means they are not eligible for the NCAA Tournament until the 2017-18 campaign. In the midst of transition, Grand Canyon is competing against the best.
Coach Majerle has high expectations for his Lopes. He told Craig Grialou of Arizona Sports:
“Our expectations are to continue to get better, fight for the conference championship,” head coach Dan Majerle said. “Our whole goal is to be, when this four-year probation thing is over, that we’re hitting the ground running and we’re in consideration to play in the (NCAA) Tournament every year; and for us that’s to win the WAC and to win the WAC Tournament, and that’s our main goal.”
DeWayne Russell Scores 42 Points Against Louisville Cardinals
Grand Canyon University nearly pulled off the upset Louisville Cardinals behind 42 points from DeWayne Russell. DeWayne made threes as well as floaters in the face of his defender. He got to the free-throw line and controlled the game.
When discussing Russell’s performance, Lopes head coach Dan Majerle told the Associated Press:
“I’ve never seen anything like it”, Majerle said, “I’ve seen some great performances and that’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen.”
Although the Lopes are unable to make the tournament for another year, they already have big wins under their belt. Grand Canyon has defeated the San Diego State Aztecs in back to back seasons. Two years ago the Lopes were 17-15 overall and 8-6 in WAC play. Last year the Lopes were 27-7 overall and 11-3 in WAC play. This year they are 10-6 overall and 1-0 in WAC play.
The Arizona Wildcats are the class of basketball in the state of Arizona while Grand Canyon wants to write their own story as they rise up the college hoops ranks.
