Under the Radar Game of the Day: Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grand Canyon

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grand Canyon, 9:00 PM Eastern, CW6/espn3

Last year, we here at Hoops HD adopted the Grand Canyon Antelopes as our “Team of the People”.  We spent the season trying to convince the world that this team should be granted a waiver and declared eligible for the NCAA Tournament.  The case for why this waiver should have been granted can be found by reading here.  Despite our efforts, the requests failed and the ‘Lopes were denied an opportunity to play in the WAC and NCAA tournaments.  Although the “Team of the People” title has moved on to New Hampshire this season (#GoDancingOrDie), GCU remains ineligible this season — and unfairly so in our opinion!!!! #LopesWaiver

Tonight, the Under the Radar Game of the Day heads to GCU for the first time this year as our beloved ‘Lopes host the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.  Grand Canyon enters tonight’s game at 7-5 overall, though three of those losses came to top 10 programs in Duke, Louisville and Arizona.  The only real blemish on their record was a baffling home loss to SIU Edwardsville.  However, they did defeat San Diego State for the second straight year to more than make up for that game.  The ‘Lopes have won four of their last 5 and it should not be forgotten that they have not had Joshua Braun, their top projected returning starter from last year, since the Edwardsville game back on November 28.  Of course, it has been difficult to miss Braun when Dewayne Russell has been playing incredible.  He scored an amazing 42 points in the loss to Louisville and has been consistently at or over 20 points in every game he has played this season.  Another big effort tonight should give the ‘Lopes their 8th win on the season.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff will have to play an incredible game to try to hang with the ‘Lopes tonight.  The Golden Lions enter this game at 1-12 overall, with no Division I wins and a loss to NAIA Blue Mountain College on their resume already (Blue Mountain also knocked off Jackson State this season).  Ghiavonni Robinson will be one of the key players for UAPB tonight, as he has scored in double figures 9 times already this year.  However, what tonight’s game will really be about is another look at the Grand Canyon Antelopes and another chance to express to the NCAA just how unfair their rules denying postseason eligibility to one of the WAC’s top teams is.

#LopesWaiver