March Madness 2023: Where is Grand Canyon University?
By Drew Koch
There are a lot of unknowns in March Madness. Like, what the heck is a Lope and where in the world is Grand Canyon University?
First things first — the Lopes is the abbreviated version of Antelopes which just so happens to be the mascot of Grand Canyon University. While not many fans throughout college basketball have ever heard of GCU as they head into March Madness, it’s actually in one of the largest cities in the United States.
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university that is located in Phoenix, Arizona. GCU, known as Grand Canyon College for many year, just joined the ranks of Division I basketball back in 2017.
March Madness 2023: Where is Grand Canyon University?
Members of the NAIA for years, Grand Canyon University move up Division II during the 1990s, but for the last six years has been part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). In fact, GCU won the WAC Tournament title last week, effectively punching their ticket to March Madness.
The Grand Canton Antelopes, who were coached by former Phoenix Suns star Dan Majerle for seven seasons, are now under the leadership of former March Madness darling Bryce Drew.
The former Valparaiso star, in his third season with the Lopes, is looking for his first ever win as a head coach in the NCAA Tournament. Drew had been the coach at his alma mater for five seasons and was the head coach at Vanderbilt from 2016-2019.
The Antelopes have their work cut out for them in Round 1 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament as they’ll go head-to-head with longtime March Madness juggernaut Gonzaga. Mark Few is searching for that elusive National Championship, and the first team in his way this March is Grand Canyon University.
The Antelopes are going to need Bryce Drew to channel some of that March Madness magic that led to Valpo’s upset victory over Ole Miss in the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
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