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/