Location: Phoenix
Date/time/TV: Dec. 14, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($75,000 guarantee)
Last season: 27-7, (11-3 WAC), RPI: 88
Coach: Dan Majerle (fourth year, 59-37)
Go-to guy: Joshua Braun (16.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Glue: DeWayne Russell (9.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.4 apg)
Key newcomers: F Darion Clark (USC transfer), G Shaq Carr (juco transfer), F Oscar Frayer (freshman)
Upside: The Antelopes have been aggressively building toward full membership in Division I for the 2017-18 season, when they will first be eligible for the NCAA tournament. A solid recruiting class joins Russell, who returns after winning back a season of eligibility lost after he played in a 2013-14 exhibition for NAU.
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Downside: In his attempt to show the Lopes what top-notch D-I ball is, Majerle may have bitten off more than his team can chew. Grand Canyon will face Duke, Penn State, Louisville, San Diego State and Arizona.
Digital version: gculopes.com, @GCU_Hoops
