Grand Canyon University (GCU) is set to face New Mexico in an important Mountain West matchup on Wednesday night, seeking both revenge and a milestone victory for head coach Bryce Drew. With a record of 15-8 and 8-4 in conference play, the Lopes are eager to secure a sixth consecutive home win and Drew’s 300th career win. The game has significant implications for conference standings, as a victory would place GCU above New Mexico, which currently holds an 18-6 record and 9-4 in the conference.
The Lopes are focused on bouncing back after a narrow 80-78 loss at UNLV this past Saturday. Drew expressed concerns over the team’s performance, noting that it looked different from their previous month, during which they had been particularly strong defensively. In the month leading up to the UNLV game, GCU limited opponents to 40% shooting or worse in six consecutive games, and they had not allowed more than 69 points in five of those contests. However, against UNLV, they struggled with rebounding, giving up 13 offensive boards.
To prepare for New Mexico, Drew emphasized the need for greater physicality and aggression in rebounding. In their first encounter this season, GCU was outrebounded by ten, leading to a significant 87-64 defeat. This loss was particularly painful as it was GCU’s worst defeat since January 2022 and came with the additional pressure of Drew’s ejection during the game.
Meanwhile, New Mexico comes into the match facing its own challenges, having suffered two consecutive home losses after a remarkable 23-game winning streak at The Pit. Coach Eric Olen highlighted the urgency for his team to correct their course, as they have allowed an average of nearly 86 points in their last three games, significantly above their season average of 67.5 points allowed per game.
In the prior matchup, the Lobos exhibited strong shooting by hitting 52.7% of their shots, capitalizing on GCU’s inability to maintain defensive pressure over extended periods. New Mexico’s scoring threats include freshman guard Jake Hall and senior guard Luke Haupt, who recently scored a career-high 30 points against Boise State.
Despite their recent setbacks, the Lopes’ potential for a comeback cannot be underestimated. They hold an impressive 7-0 record following losses this season, showcasing resilience that could serve them well against New Mexico. As they prepare for the game at a sold-out Global Credit Union Arena, both teams are aware that the atmosphere could play a significant role in determining the outcome.
Players from both teams are dialed into the importance of this game, and GCU aims to channel their home-court advantage to reclaim their momentum. It remains to be seen whether they can rise to the occasion, bringing back the level of physicality and teamwork that has characterized their best performances this season.