Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Baylor on October 10, 2025 , Loss , 74, to, 79
M Basketball
at Baylor
L 74-79
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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Takashi Sato
Insider: Jackson returns to form
12/11/2017 8:41:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro, Lopes Insider Blog
GCU power forward breaks through after injury redshirt
Matt Jackson went 597 days without playing a college basketball game.
Returning from injury to get back on the floor last month was a big step. What he did Saturday was a huge leap that he and the Grand Canyon men's basketball team hope keeps pace for Monday night's home game against North Carolina Central (4-7).
Jackson, a junior, redshirted last season and had only scored three points in six appearances this season until Saturday. But a game after not playing against St. John's, Jackson came within a point of his career high Saturday with a 12-point performance in 13 minutes as GCU (6-2) routed Grambling State, 87-53.
Jackson made five of six shots, including two 3-pointers, a mid-range jumper, a post-up and a reverse layup.
"It's good to be back playing where I know I can play and at the level I know I can play at," Jackson said. "Nothing changed during the week. Coach keeps giving me confidence and my teammates do around me. I just got a chance and I played freely and did what I could."
Jackson, 22, figured to be an important piece for GCU's bench this season because he spreads defense from the power forward spot with his perimeter shooting but also is one of the team's better defenders. The Australian showed that defensive side too Saturday, getting a steal and blocking a layup chance off the glass on consecutive possessions.
"I was looking at when we were 27-7, he averaged 19 or 20 minutes a game and had some big games for us," GCU head coach Dan Majerle said. "He's had a rash of injuries and it's been tough for him but he's done a good job of preparing and it showed. So hopefully he can stay healthy and it can stay like that."
Jackson, who averaged 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds with 11 starts in 2015-16, has eased into the season. The back rehabilitation kept him from scrimmaging with the team in August when the Lopes started their preseason early for the Spain trip but his shooting touch gradually emerged as he practiced more. In games, he had not made a 3-point shot since opening night until he made his first two tries Saturday.
"Every time I get out here with the crowd and everything, it's easy to forget (about the injury) and play through it," Jackson said. "I work on my body every day. I'm confident and feel like I'm getting through it."
Quick turnaround
Senior power forward Keonta Vernon could not make a shot (three tries) or a free throw (six tries) in Tuesday's loss against St. John's. So when the team returned from downtown Phoenix's Talking Stick Resort Arena at about 1 a.m., Vernon reported to the GCU Basketball Practice Facility for 30 minutes of free throws.
On Saturday, he could not miss.
In the Lopes' win against Grambling State, Vernon went eight for eight from the field.
It was the fourth most field goals made without a miss by a GCU player in program history. He also made three of four free throws.
Vernon's efficiency was helped by five of the field goals coming on dunks but he also capped the first half with a mid-range jumper.
"It's not out-of-the-ordinary for me to take it because that's all I've been working on all summer," Vernon said.
The extra work was not a one-time thing. Vernon said he will continue to take extra free throws before and after practices.
"O-for-6 from the line can't ever happen again," Vernon said.
Lobs are back
The alleyoop has been a GCU trademark that opponents could not stop even when they scouted for it.
This season, the Lopes' timing and lob passes often have been off until Saturday, when they connected for three alleyoops in the first 15 minutes.
"It was just that we weren't running our plays hard enough," said Vernon, a frequent finisher. "Coach Majerle got on us about that. You can't expect a play like that to work if you're going half-effort. Every screen and every cut has to be hard. To make them move, you have to make them think you're doing something."
Deeeee-fense
GCU ranks fifth in Division I for scoring defense, allowing 59.0 points per game. The Lopes' opponent 3-point percentage (26.4) is the eighth-lowest in the nation and their opponent turnover average (18.6) is 13th highest in the nation.
Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.
Returning from injury to get back on the floor last month was a big step. What he did Saturday was a huge leap that he and the Grand Canyon men's basketball team hope keeps pace for Monday night's home game against North Carolina Central (4-7).
Jackson, a junior, redshirted last season and had only scored three points in six appearances this season until Saturday. But a game after not playing against St. John's, Jackson came within a point of his career high Saturday with a 12-point performance in 13 minutes as GCU (6-2) routed Grambling State, 87-53.
Jackson made five of six shots, including two 3-pointers, a mid-range jumper, a post-up and a reverse layup.
"It's good to be back playing where I know I can play and at the level I know I can play at," Jackson said. "Nothing changed during the week. Coach keeps giving me confidence and my teammates do around me. I just got a chance and I played freely and did what I could."
Jackson, 22, figured to be an important piece for GCU's bench this season because he spreads defense from the power forward spot with his perimeter shooting but also is one of the team's better defenders. The Australian showed that defensive side too Saturday, getting a steal and blocking a layup chance off the glass on consecutive possessions.
"I was looking at when we were 27-7, he averaged 19 or 20 minutes a game and had some big games for us," GCU head coach Dan Majerle said. "He's had a rash of injuries and it's been tough for him but he's done a good job of preparing and it showed. So hopefully he can stay healthy and it can stay like that."
Jackson, who averaged 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds with 11 starts in 2015-16, has eased into the season. The back rehabilitation kept him from scrimmaging with the team in August when the Lopes started their preseason early for the Spain trip but his shooting touch gradually emerged as he practiced more. In games, he had not made a 3-point shot since opening night until he made his first two tries Saturday.
"Every time I get out here with the crowd and everything, it's easy to forget (about the injury) and play through it," Jackson said. "I work on my body every day. I'm confident and feel like I'm getting through it."
Quick turnaround
Senior power forward Keonta Vernon could not make a shot (three tries) or a free throw (six tries) in Tuesday's loss against St. John's. So when the team returned from downtown Phoenix's Talking Stick Resort Arena at about 1 a.m., Vernon reported to the GCU Basketball Practice Facility for 30 minutes of free throws.
On Saturday, he could not miss.
In the Lopes' win against Grambling State, Vernon went eight for eight from the field.
It was the fourth most field goals made without a miss by a GCU player in program history. He also made three of four free throws.
Vernon's efficiency was helped by five of the field goals coming on dunks but he also capped the first half with a mid-range jumper.
"It's not out-of-the-ordinary for me to take it because that's all I've been working on all summer," Vernon said.
The extra work was not a one-time thing. Vernon said he will continue to take extra free throws before and after practices.
"O-for-6 from the line can't ever happen again," Vernon said.
Lobs are back
The alleyoop has been a GCU trademark that opponents could not stop even when they scouted for it.
This season, the Lopes' timing and lob passes often have been off until Saturday, when they connected for three alleyoops in the first 15 minutes.
"It was just that we weren't running our plays hard enough," said Vernon, a frequent finisher. "Coach Majerle got on us about that. You can't expect a play like that to work if you're going half-effort. Every screen and every cut has to be hard. To make them move, you have to make them think you're doing something."
Deeeee-fense
GCU ranks fifth in Division I for scoring defense, allowing 59.0 points per game. The Lopes' opponent 3-point percentage (26.4) is the eighth-lowest in the nation and their opponent turnover average (18.6) is 13th highest in the nation.
Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
F
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