Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Insider: Longest layoff tests Lopes' flow
2/11/2021 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro, Lopes Insider Blog
GCU goes 20 days between games; McMillian steps up as frosh
To get to the Big Dance, basketball teams have to learn to move to different rhythms this season.
Like every team, Grand Canyon has been affected with starts and stoppages during this pandemic-riddled season. Unlike most teams, the Lopes are amid a 20-day hiatus created by the cancellation of two weekends of games.
GCU (12-3, 6-0 WAC) won its seventh and eighth consecutive games on Jan. 29-30 against New Mexico State, but it might not feel like the nation's sixth-longest active winning streak by the time the Lopes play again Feb. 19-20 at home against California Baptist.
"It goes back to 'control what you can control,' " GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "Right now, we're blessed to have practice time so we have to control our effort and our execution to get better for when we play again.
"You can't focus on things you can't control. Whether we were in a rhythm or not, we have to focus on getting in a great rhythm for the next game."
Drew, whose team just had a 17-day game gap (Dec. 22-Jan. 8), gave his squad examples of other teams that recorded major wins after long layoffs this season. The upcoming home set of games with CBU are two of GCU's final six regular-season games before the March 11-13 WAC Tournament.
"Our guys have done a really good job of grasping a new system," Drew said. "We try to drill it every day with them so that it becomes natural. As the season goes on, it's definitely becoming more natural to them. Hopefully, they'll have really good carryover even with this layoff."
Outside Chance
GCU freshman guard Chance McMillian developed from his summer arrival on campus to earn rotation time when the season started in late November. His continued improvement only has expanded his role.
McMillian is one of seven Lopes to play every game this season, but his playing time has expanded from 7.3 minutes per game in the first seven games to 15.1 minutes per game during GCU's current eight-game winning streak.
McMillian, the backup point guard, also has a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and has been the team's top 3-point shooter, making 14 of 28 (9 for 18 during the winning streak).
"What the coaching staff enjoys most about him is his willingness to learn," Drew said. "He really wants to learn and get better. When you teach him, he's able to take what you teach and be able to carry it over. You see a difference in practices and games with the things we're trying to teach him. We're really enjoying it. He's been a big part of us being off to a good start in conference."
Lopes defense ranks 2nd
GCU ranks second nationally for opponent field goal percentage, holding teams to 37.2% shooting this season. Only Houston's 36.5% mark tops the Lopes, who have limited opponents to 33.8% shooting in the past seven games.
Going from ranking last in the nation for blocked shots last season to averaging three per game helps that number. Seniors Asbjorn Midtgaard and Oscar Frayer combine to account for nearly two-thirds of the Lopes' blocks this season.
"It's definitely a work in progress," Drew said. "The players have done a good job of working hard on the defensive end and paying attention to detail. California Baptist is going to present a tremendous challenge with their offensive firepower."
Like every team, Grand Canyon has been affected with starts and stoppages during this pandemic-riddled season. Unlike most teams, the Lopes are amid a 20-day hiatus created by the cancellation of two weekends of games.
GCU (12-3, 6-0 WAC) won its seventh and eighth consecutive games on Jan. 29-30 against New Mexico State, but it might not feel like the nation's sixth-longest active winning streak by the time the Lopes play again Feb. 19-20 at home against California Baptist.
"It goes back to 'control what you can control,' " GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "Right now, we're blessed to have practice time so we have to control our effort and our execution to get better for when we play again."You can't focus on things you can't control. Whether we were in a rhythm or not, we have to focus on getting in a great rhythm for the next game."
Drew, whose team just had a 17-day game gap (Dec. 22-Jan. 8), gave his squad examples of other teams that recorded major wins after long layoffs this season. The upcoming home set of games with CBU are two of GCU's final six regular-season games before the March 11-13 WAC Tournament.
"Our guys have done a really good job of grasping a new system," Drew said. "We try to drill it every day with them so that it becomes natural. As the season goes on, it's definitely becoming more natural to them. Hopefully, they'll have really good carryover even with this layoff."
Outside Chance
GCU freshman guard Chance McMillian developed from his summer arrival on campus to earn rotation time when the season started in late November. His continued improvement only has expanded his role.McMillian is one of seven Lopes to play every game this season, but his playing time has expanded from 7.3 minutes per game in the first seven games to 15.1 minutes per game during GCU's current eight-game winning streak.
McMillian, the backup point guard, also has a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and has been the team's top 3-point shooter, making 14 of 28 (9 for 18 during the winning streak).
"What the coaching staff enjoys most about him is his willingness to learn," Drew said. "He really wants to learn and get better. When you teach him, he's able to take what you teach and be able to carry it over. You see a difference in practices and games with the things we're trying to teach him. We're really enjoying it. He's been a big part of us being off to a good start in conference."
Lopes defense ranks 2nd
GCU ranks second nationally for opponent field goal percentage, holding teams to 37.2% shooting this season. Only Houston's 36.5% mark tops the Lopes, who have limited opponents to 33.8% shooting in the past seven games.
Going from ranking last in the nation for blocked shots last season to averaging three per game helps that number. Seniors Asbjorn Midtgaard and Oscar Frayer combine to account for nearly two-thirds of the Lopes' blocks this season.
"It's definitely a work in progress," Drew said. "The players have done a good job of working hard on the defensive end and paying attention to detail. California Baptist is going to present a tremendous challenge with their offensive firepower."
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballGCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame Radio with Bryce Drew
Wednesday, March 11
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame Radio with Brian Moore Jr.
Wednesday, March 11
What's Ahead for the Mountain West Tournament?
Monday, March 09
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame with Dusty Stromer, Brian Moore Jr.
Sunday, March 08