Western Athletic Conference play this season came with a unique twist where each team had to play a two-game series in back-to-back days. Even in this updated format, the Lopes finished in first place with a 17-6 overall record and 9-3 in conference play. GCU’s calling card this season was defense as they led the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 61.5 points in conference play.2
That number was also good for being ranked ninth in the country.3 This stout defensive play was proven in the WAC Tournament where the Lopes defeated Seattle University in the semifinals and New Mexico State University in the championship game, 81-47 and 74-56, respectively.
The players that have led the Lopes this season come from a healthy mixture of upperclassmen experience and young talent. Leading the way has been the big inside duo of 7-foot senior center, and sports management major, Asbjørn Midtgaard and 6-foot-10 senior forward, and business management major, Alessandro Lever. Midtgaard and Lever led the Lopes in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage this season, while Midtgaard finished second in the conference in rebounding and first in field goal percentage.2 Getting them the ball has been 5-foot-11 sophomore guard, and sports management major, Jovan Blacksher Jr., who was third in the conference with 5.1 assists per game.2
The coach that oversaw GCU Basketball to their first-ever conference tournament title was Bryce Drew, who comes from a rich basketball career that has seen success in both the college and professional ranks. Drew attended Valparaiso University where he finished with a school-record 2,142 points and later had his No. 24 retired.4 Drew also played six seasons in the NBA and held coaching stops at Valparaiso and Vanderbilt University, earning three separate trips to the NCAA Tournament along the way, before finally becoming the 14th head coach in GCU Basketball history on March 17, 2020.4
