Blacksher, Levi match up at point

Saturday, February 29

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

UT Rio Grande Valley

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2/28/2020 2:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro

GCU Game Notes UTRGV Game Notes

GCU freshman helped Lopes win 1st meeting on road

By: Paul Coro

Saturday, Feb. 29 \| 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| Phoenix, Arizona

	GRAND CANYON LOPES (12-16, 7-7)	VS	UTRGV VAQUEROS (12-16, 7-7)

WATCH: FOX 10 Xtra (Ch. 45 / Cable 9), ESPN3, GCULopes.com \| LISTEN: 1 580 The Fanatic, 99.3 FM, 95.9 FM \| STATS: View

Grand Canyon has its 5-foot-11 point guard named Jovan and UT Rio Grande Valley has its 5-11 point guard named Javon.

Both programs couldn't be happier about their playmakers with the Lopes freshman ahead of schedule on impact and the Vaqueros floor general leading the nation in assists.

Each team is relying on its side of the head-to-head matchup in a pivotal Saturday night game at GCU Arena. The Lopes and Vaqueros are tied for the WAC Tournament third seed position at 7-7, a half-game ahead of Seattle U at 7-6 with the Redhawks playing at California Baptist on Saturday night.

GCU is going to need much more than an edge in the point guard battle to end a three-game losing streak, which has been affected by Blacksher suffering a hamstring injury in last Saturday's loss at Utah Valley and playing through illness for the Thursday night loss to New Mexico State.

"That's one guy I'm never worried about," Lopes head coach Dan Majerle said of Blacksher. "He can have good games, bad games. I know his heart is in the right place."

Blacksher remains one of nine players – and the only freshman – in the nation to average at least 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game this season. He has improved from a 19% 3-point shooter in the first 20 games to a 42% shooter.

Levi, a speedy junior, also has improved his 3-point shooting from 23% over his first two seasons to 39% this season to average a career-high 11.1 points per game. His 7.91 assists per game edges Michigan State's Zavier Simpson (7.88) for the national lead and he also ranks 14th in steals at 2.26 per game.

When GCU won the teams' first meeting 87-79 at UTRGV, Blacksher tallied 13 points, six assists, six rebounds to counter Levi's game of 15 points and a career-high tying 13 assists.

"Honestly, I just go into every game worrying about myself, worrying for my team and worrying about my team being ready to play," Blacksher said of the matchup. "I'm not worried about who we play.

"We need to stay connected, all stay on the same page, execute what Coach is saying and go out there with effort."

UTRGV was on a six-game winning streak until the past week, when the Vaqueros lost 78-62 at New Mexico State last Saturday and lost 79-59 at CSU Bakersfield on Thursday night. UTRGV is 10-3 at home but 2-13 elsewhere.

If the Lopes can win the final two regular-season games against UTRGV and CSU Bakersfield at home, they would earn the No. 2 or No. 3 tournament seed, depending how Seattle finishes with games at California Baptist and at home against Chicago State and Kansas City.

"Every game that we play is going to be a hard game," Majerle said. "We have to find a way to keep playing.

Lope tracks

GCU junior center Alessandro Lever ranks third in the WAC for points per game (16.0) with a field goal percentage of 54.4, which ranks 47th nationally.
The Lopes are 7-0 when their bench outscores the opponent's reserves.
GCU ranks 36th nationally for least turnovers per game (11.5).
UTRGV ranks eighth nationally in turnovers forced per game (17.6).

Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.