Utah State is next big challenge for GCU

Friday, November 5

Logan, UT

7:05 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Utah State (exhibition)

Justin Wesolowski (left), Kyle Speed (right) and the rest of the GCU men's basketball team take on Utah State Friday in an exhibition game.

11/4/2010 11:15:10 PM | Men's Basketball

'Lopes to play another D-I NCAA tourney team

By: Steve Heath

For Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball team, Friday’s exhibition season finale at Utah State is all about getting better.

“We want to correct our mistakes from the first game,” said GCU second-year head coach Russ Pennell, whose club fell to Division I-power UNLV, 90-66, on Tuesday.

“Our defensive positioning, understanding our assignments and our communication on defensive transition – anything like that – should improve,” said Pennell. “Our opponent is very good, but it shouldn’t factor in our mental sharpness and organization.”

Friday’s opponent is every bit as good as the storied Runnin’ Rebels, just not as publicized.

The Aggies have gone to the postseason 11 straight seasons, including seven NCAA tournaments. Their winning percentage in the 2000s (.764) is fourth best in the nation, trailing only Duke (.833), Kansas (.814) and Gonzaga (.799). Like UNLV, they are receiving votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Top 25 polls.

“Utah State should be mentioned in the same breath as Gonzaga and Butler,” added Pennell, comparing the Aggies to two of the more prominent mid-major hoop powers.

Pennell and Co. saw improvements in Tuesday’s opener at UNLV. After a tough first half, GCU outscored (41-40) and outrebounded (19-12) the Runnin’ Rebels in the second half. The bench was only outscored 39-38 for the game.

An impressive 20-13 GCU second-half run was against UNLV’s top unit.

“I think the exhibition season is for challenging yourself, pushing yourself and preparing yourself for your goals, which is to be in the national tournament,” added Pennell. “We certainly won’t play anyone better than UNLV and Utah State, plus this will prepare us playing in a hostile environment.”

NOT MOUNTAIN YET: Friday’s game time at Utah State is 7:05 p.m. MDT and 6:05 Phoenix time. Phoenix doesn’t go on Mountain Time until Sunday morning.

BROADCAST INFO: Fans can listen to the call from GCU play-by-play announcer Michael Potter on GCULopes.com. Also available, from Utah State, are Gametracker Live Stats and a live video feed. Links to both services are also available on GCULopes.com. The video feed is a paid service with a cost of $9.95. All the links can be found on the men’s basketball home page and schedule page.

GAME NOTES