Under the Radar Game of the Day: Grand Canyon at New Mexico State, 9:00 PM Eastern, AGGIE VISION/wacsports.com
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At the start of the season, we here at HOOPS HD designated the Grand Canyon Antelopes as our adopted “Team of the People”. We chose the ‘Lopes because we expected them to be highly competitive this season and because of their unique situation — capable of winning the WAC while at the same time being ineligible this season (and next) for the WAC and NCAA Tournaments as they complete their transition up to the Division I level. We started the #LopesWaiver campaign in an attempt to get the school a waiver so it could compete in the NCAA Tournament this season. Little did we expect, however, just how good this team would be. Despite a surprising and disappointing home loss last week to Seattle, the ‘Lopes are currently 19-3 overall and tied for first place in the conference at 6-1. Their RPI (102), BPI (97), and KenPom (105) are all tops in the WAC. They already have huge home conference wins over New Mexico State and Cal-State Bakersfield. And with this amazing success, combined with the failure to date to get the NCAA to change their rules, we are now petitioning the President of the United States to intervene on their behalf. CLICK HERE NOW TO SIGN THE PETITION!!!!!!
Tonight, first place in the WAC is at stake in what may prove to be the game of the year in the conference. Even though the ‘Lopes knocked off New Mexico State at home back on January 9 by at 79-75 score, New Mexico State has not lost any other games in WAC play, including picking up a double overtime win at Bakersfield a week and a half ago. The Aggies are now 14-8 overall, 6-1 in conference. They are also the dominant force in the WAC the past few seasons, having now won the conference’s automatic bid for four consecutive years (and every season since realignment sent the majority of the WAC’s members to other conferences). The Aggies are led by Pascal Siakam, who has scored a double-double in every game bit three so far this season — including an amazing 24 point, 23 rebound effort against UTEP back in December. The ‘Lopes will counter with their top payers Grandy Glaze and Joshua Braun. Braun was the star of the earlier win over the Aggies scoring 23 points while pulling down 11 boards. Grand Canyon has already won at San Diego State and beaten Houston on a neutral court this season. However, to defeat their top rival in the WAC on New Mexico State’s home court tonight (especially with both their prior games at NMSU the last two seasons having been 20+ point blowout losses) will certainly send the message to the WAC and the college basketball world that Thunder Dan’s team has arrived — and that they deserve to play in the WAC and NCAA Tournaments!
#LopesWaiver #LopesPetition