A preview of WAC champion GCU’s first round game vs Iowa

Game 29: No. 15 Grand Canyon vs. No. 2 Iowa 6:25 p.m. TBS

Draft Kings Betting Line Iowa -14.5

Team Capsules from USA Today

No. 2 Iowa
Nickname: Hawkeyes. Location: Iowa City.
Record: 21-8, 14-6. Bid: Big Ten at-large.
Last appearance: 2019, lost to Tennessee in second round.
Coach: Fran McCaffery (5-9 in nine appearances).
Overview: With frontrunner for national player of the year Luka Garza, Iowa has one of the most prolific offenses in college basketball. The Hawkeyes had a hot start to the regular season, and finished it strong, winning seven of their last eight regular-season games. They went 7-6 against teams in Quadrant 1 of the NCAA’s NET rankings, and the offense was aided by their NCAA-best 19.2 assists per game. Defenses will have their hands full trying to stop a team that was held to under 70 points just three times in the regular season. 
Projected starters: G Jordan Bohannon, 6-1, Sr. (10.5 ppg, 4.5 apg, 88.6 FT%); G CJ Fredrick, 6-3, So. (8.0 ppg, 49.2 FG%, 50.0 3FG%); G/F Connor McCaffery, 6-5, Sr. (3.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.7 apg); G/F Joe Wieskamp, 6-6, Jr. (15.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 50.9 FG%, 48.9 3FG%); C Luka Garza, 6-11, Sr. (23.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 55.0 FG%).

No. 15 Grand Canyon
Nickname: Antelopes. Location: Phoenix.
Record: 17-6, 9-3. Bid: Western Athletic champion.
Last appearance: First appearance.
Coach: Bryce Drew (4-3 in three appearances).
Overview: Grand Canyon brings defense and rebounding prowess into its NCAA Tournament debut. The dominance on the boards has helped the Antelopes keep all but six opponents under 70 points. Heading into conference tournament play, GCU ranked second nationally in field-goal defense and in the top 10 in points allowed per game. So what’s the catch? The Antelopes’ offense is lacking in comparison and had an uneven last month before winning the Western Athletic tournament.
Projected starters: G Jovan Blacksher, Jr. 5-11, So. (11.4 ppg, 5.5 apg, 1.4 spg); G Mikey Dixon 6-2, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 76.2 FT%); F Oscar Frayer 6-6, Sr. (6.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 35.1 3FG%); F Alessandro Lever 6-10, Sr. (13.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 41.1 3FG%); C Midtgaard 7-0, Sr. We (14.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.2 bpg).

Other coverage: Arizona Central does a good job of summarizing write ups from around the country

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/c...711222001/

About to tip. Let’s go Lopes!

Anyone got a link for non cable subscribers?

Oregon-VCU game was cancelled due to Covid. Oregon moves on and will face the winner on GCU-Iowa game.

link to see the game:

https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/...oogle_game

(03-20-2021 06:06 PM)SARGEcaw Wrote:  link to see the game:

https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/...oogle_game

Thanks. I'd tried that but the site is way too heavy for my internet. Was hoping someone had a makeshift stream that would work for me. I'm listening to it

GCU is just getting their first taste of the frustration NMSU has been going through trying to get out of the first round with a win. When the selection committee gives the WAC regularly a 13,14,or 15 seed, its hard to beat a top 4 seed. The work to get a better seeding, in needs to happen in November and December to get Nationally recognized with marquee wins. Otherwise, we are digging a deep hole to get out of in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Sorry lopes, but I’m rooting against you. My team got embarrassed so no one else is allowed to have fun.

Decent game but Iowa gets the win by twelve. I'm hoping for a better performance from ACU, but don't really expect it.

If GCU had played a 6 seed or greater, they might have won today. GCU has a good team and Midtgaard is a legit high major big man. His professional stock is probably soaring after this season.

(03-20-2021 07:53 PM)FirstandGoal Wrote:  Decent game but Iowa gets the win by twelve. I'm hoping for a better performance from ACU, but don't really expect it.

I wish ACU was playing someone other than Texas. Texas is either going to the Elite 8 or is losing this game. Not sure which team will show up b

(03-20-2021 08:40 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  If GCU had played a 6 seed or greater, they might have won today. GCU has a good team and Midtgaard is a legit high major big man. His professional stock is probably soaring after this season.

I disagree. I don't see GCU beating any 6-12 seed. GCU couldn't even beat the 8th seed PAC-12 team at home. The WAC was awful this year. Hopefully next year with the new additions, the conference will get a boost. Hopefully NMSU gets back to normal.

(03-20-2021 08:59 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  

(03-20-2021 08:40 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  If GCU had played a 6 seed or greater, they might have won today. GCU has a good team and Midtgaard is a legit high major big man. His professional stock is probably soaring after this season.

I disagree. I don't see GCU beating any 6-12 seed. GCU couldn't even beat the 8th seed PAC-12 team at home. The WAC was awful this year. Hopefully next year with the new additions, the conference will get a boost. Hopefully NMSU gets back to normal.

I agree. Iowa just looked bored, like they didn't want to even bother with GCU. The WAC was just a crap conference this year.

Congrats GCU. Very good season.

Now the rest of us and the newbies need to step it up to raise future seedings.

(03-20-2021 09:16 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  Congrats GCU. Very good season.

Now the rest of us and the newbies need to step it up to raise future seedlings.

Well said.

(03-20-2021 09:18 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(03-20-2021 09:16 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  Congrats GCU. Very good season.

Now the rest of us and the newbies need to step it up to raise future seedlings.

Well said.

Except for my misspelling.

We all need to step up our OOC game. That includes you, nmsu.

I'm gonna go ahead and predict an ACU "upset" tonight. These Cats look hungry.

(03-20-2021 09:34 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  I'm gonna go ahead and predict an ACU "upset" tonight. These Cats look hungry.

They are playing well from what I have seen so far. It is a shame though that any money they get from this run is going to a conference that they won't be a part of.

(03-20-2021 09:51 PM)ThunderDan49_2 Wrote:  

(03-20-2021 09:34 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  I'm gonna go ahead and predict an ACU "upset" tonight. These Cats look hungry.

They are playing well from what I have seen so far. It is a shame though that any money they get from this run is going to a conference that they won't be a part of.

Next year is going to be fun... especially is the arenas are filled with fans again. I'm liking the new WAC.