39. Mississippi State Bulldogs
41. Memphis Tigers
42. McNeese Cowboys
45. VCU Rams
46. Dayton Flyers
47. St Mary’s Gaels
49. UCF Knights
52. Clemson Tigers
53. New Mexico Lobos
58. SMU Mustangs
60. Nevada Wolfpack
61. TCU Horned Frogs
63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
65. Syracuse Orange
68. Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Butler Bulldogs
71. Princeton Tigers
74. Oklahoma Sooners
75. West Virginia Mountaineers
76. Georgia Bulldogs
77. UAB Blazers
80. Missouri Tigers
Here’s where each of our analysts have the Lopes ranked:
| Steven | Maxwell | Kam | Cody |
| 40 | 40 | 26 | 39 |
2022-2023: Bryce Drew Building from the Ashes
Since joining Division 1 basketball in 2013, Grand Canyon University (GCU) has seen remarkable success under head coach Bryce Drew. Drew took over the program in 2020, and in just his first season, he led the Antelopes to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Since then, he has guided the team to the tournament two additional times, further cementing his legacy at GCU. Under his leadership, the Antelopes have won three conference titles, a testament to the turnaround and consistency Drew has brought to the program. Drew’s success is not by chance. He boasts a long track record of excellence at mid-major programs, having led Valparaiso to three NCAA tournaments and two conference championships in his five-year tenure there. After a less successful stint at Vanderbilt, where his team finished a disappointing 9-23 in his final season, Drew found new hope at Grand Canyon. The Antelopes’ revival under Drew has been nothing short of impressive, with the 2022-2023 season being a continuation of his proven ability to elevate programs. During the 2022-2023 season, Drew led the team to a 24-12 record, finishing 6th in the WAC regular season. Despite their seeding, the Antelopes peaked at the right time, winning the WAC Tournament and securing an NCAA tournament bid. A tough non-conference schedule saw them finish 9-4 heading into conference play. The Antelopes had their ups and downs throughout the season, but a strong two-game winning streak at the end of the regular season set the tone for their tournament run. After a hard-fought first-round victory against UT Arlington, they powered through to the WAC Championship, where they defeated Utah Tech by 18 points, punching their ticket to March Madness. Unfortunately, their tournament journey ended in the first round, falling to a strong Gonzaga team.
Offensive Philosophy: Historically, Drew’s teams have been known for pushing the pace and overwhelming opponents with their transition game. However, the 2022-2023 team deviated slightly from this identity, ranking 274th nationally in field goals attempted. What they lacked in shot volume, they made up for in efficiency, shooting 46.2% from the field (72nd nationally) and an impressive 38.3% from three-point range, which ranked 13th in the country. The team leaned heavily on its top performers, with three key players contributing a significant portion of the offensive load. As a result, GCU’s offensive efficiency ranked 93rd in the nation, averaging 75.2 points per game.
Strong Defensive Play: Despite not having a roster full of “Top Recruits,” Drew managed to mold the Antelopes into a formidable defensive unit. With only three players standing over 6’9”, GCU lacked traditional shot-blocking presence but compensated with tenacious guard and wing play. The Antelopes held their opponents to 40.9% shooting, ranking 38th in the nation, while their ability to force turnovers also stood out as they averaged 5.6 steals per game (59th nationally). Their solid defense held opponents to just 67.2 points per game, ranking 94th overall. Notably, GCU finished in the top 100 in both points scored and points allowed, demonstrating a balanced team on both ends of the floor.
Key Players: The 2022-2023 Antelopes were anchored by an impressive group of veterans. Junior guard Rayshon Harrison, a transfer from Presbyterian, emerged as the team’s star, earning First-Team All-WAC honors by averaging 17.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Senior Gabe McGlothan was another standout, securing Second-Team All-WAC recognition with 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Chance McMillian provided additional firepower, averaging 10.9 points per game and shooting a blistering 44.4% from three-point range. With many of these key contributors returning, expectations for GCU in 2023-2024 were high.
2023-2024: Bryce Drew – WAC Champions
The 2023-2024 season began with high hopes as the Antelopes returned much of their core from the previous WAC Championship-winning squad. Although they lost Chance McMillian, GCU retained key players like Rayshon Harrison and Gabe McGlothan, while bolstering the roster through the transfer portal. The Antelopes added several talented prospects, including wing Tyon Grant-Foster (formerly of Kansas and DePaul), guard Collin Moore (from Georgia State), and forward Lok Wur (from Oregon). These additions injected new talent into an already potent lineup. Offensively, the Antelopes improved significantly, averaging 79.1 points per game (49th nationally) while shooting 46.0% from the field (89th nationally). Their rebounding was another strength, ranking 67th in offensive rebounding and 53rd in total rebounding, which allowed them to push the pace and capitalize on high-percentage shots. Defensively, GCU also made strides, holding opponents to just 67.0 points per game (47th nationally), further demonstrating the balance of their improved play. The team’s ability to stifle opponents while maintaining offensive efficiency made them a formidable force throughout the season. Their strong performance carried them to a 27-4 overall record and a 17-3 mark in WAC play, earning the conference’s top seed. The Antelopes breezed through the WAC Tournament, defeating Seattle University in the first round before dispatching UT Arlington in the finals. Their domination secured a 12-seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they faced a tough Saint Mary’s team in the first round. Though they triumphed in that matchup, their season ended against Alabama, a team that outmatched them offensively.
Individual Standouts: Tyon Grant-Foster was a revelation, earning WAC Player of the Year honors by averaging 20.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Rayshon Harrison added 13.5 points and 3.9 assists per game, earning Second-Team All-WAC recognition. Gabe McGlothan continued to be a force on the boards, contributing 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. With such strong individual performances, GCU thrived throughout the season.
Looking Ahead: The 2024-2025 Season and Beyond
As the Antelopes prepare for the 2024-2025 season, they will look to build on their recent success under Bryce Drew, who has posted a winning percentage of 74.6% during his tenure. GCU will return top performer Tyon Grant-Foster, who surprisingly withdrew from the NBA draft, to anchor the team for another season. Although they will miss the presence of Gabe McGlothan, the Antelopes have a strong backcourt with Rayshon Harrison and Collin Moore, who are expected to continue their stellar play.
Additionally, GCU has once again capitalized on the transfer portal, landing key players such as 7’1” center Dennis Evans and 6′ 8” forward JaKobe Coles from TCU. Evans will provide much-needed interior defense, while Coles adds versatility and scoring ability to the frontcourt. The Antelopes also made history by securing their first top-100 recruit, Sammie Yeanay, a 6’8” forward from Compass Prep, adding another layer of talent to the roster. Drew’s ability to maximize his roster’s potential has been a hallmark of his coaching philosophy. With six returning players, including five of the top six contributors from last season, the Antelopes are poised for another strong campaign. They will retain 71.5% of last season’s minutes and 69.9% of its scoring production, leaving room for new stars to emerge. With a talented returning core and exciting new additions, Grand
Grand Canyon’s future looks bright, and the 2024-2025 season holds the promise of continued success and potential NCAA tournament runs. As Drew’s legacy grows, the Antelopes are well-positioned to cement themselves as a consistent contender in Division 1 basketball.
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