The Grand Canyon University (GCU) men's basketball team concluded their 2024-2025 season with a commendable 26-8 record, marking one of the most successful campaigns in the program's history. Under the guidance of Head Coach Bryce Drew, the Lopes showcased resilience and skill, earning their fourth Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in five years and securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Entering the season, GCU had the usual "target on our back" mentality as media pundits, fans, and teams alike pinned GCU as a potential season long Top 25 resident due to the return of Tyon Grant-Foster, Ray Harrison, Collin Moore, and the additions of Sammie Yeaney and Makiah Williams. A few slip ups early in the season put GCU in a win or go home mentality as they knew being in a traditionally 1-bid mid major conference, winning the WAC was their only chance and making history again.
Regular Season Highlights
GCU's season was characterized by consistent performances, both at home and on the road. Key victories included a decisive win against California Baptist and a dominate performance vs UVU. The team's offensive and defensive strategies were evident as they navigated a competitive schedule, leading to a strong conference record (13-3).
WAC Tournament Success
Entering the WAC Tournament as the #2 seed, the Lopes demonstrated their championship pedigree. They secured victories over UT Arlington (98-75) and California Baptist (75-66), setting up a final against Utah Valley. In the championship game, GCU emerged victorious with an 89-82 win, clinching the WAC title and an automatic NCAA Tournament berth. This season, GCU won their 3rd WAC tournament title in 3 seasons in 2025.
NCAA Tournament Appearance
The Lopes faced the Maryland Terrapins in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena. Despite their efforts, GCU fell to Maryland with a final score of 81-49, concluding their postseason run.
Something different from the Lopes this year, was Coach Drew put a lot more emphasis on defense than in prior seasons. To finish the season, GCU had a top-70 ranked defense nationally front run by a top-30 defensive eFG%, steals per possession, and blocks per possession.
When asked about it in the post game press conference following the GCU loss to Maryland, he had this to say. "We put emphasis on the defense, because it is true, defense wins championships. But with that being said, you can only hang onto your defense for so long without making shots. Eventually, if you aren't making shots, you can no longer rely on your defense."
Notable Achievements
Tyon Grant-Foster's Milestone: Senior forward Tyon Grant-Foster reached the 1,000-point mark in his collegiate career, underscoring his significant contribution to the team's success.
National Recognition: The team's performance throughout the season garnered national attention, reflecting the program's growth and competitiveness on a larger stage.
Ray Harrison Milestone: Finishing his career with 1,490 points, Ray Harrison will sit on the GCU points leaderboard tied in 4th with the late Duane Gagnon from the 1968-69 GCU men's team.
Looking Ahead
With a strong foundation and a culture of excellence, GCU's men's basketball program is poised for continued success in the coming seasons. The experience gained from this year's NCAA Tournament appearance will undoubtedly serve as motivation for future campaigns as GCU now makes the trip to join the MWC next season in basketball.
Comments