Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball is getting ready for a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament after winning another conference title. Forward JaKobe Coles leads a balanced scoring attack for the Lopes. He says just getting to the Big Dance isn’t enough this time.
“This is what we wanted for ourselves at the beginning of the year anyway,” Coles said. “We were prepared for this so we’re looking to come in and not only get one win, get a couple at least. So, we’re definitely excited to go as far as we can.”
Coles is a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference player who was selected as the most outstanding player of the conference tournament. The 6-foot-8 senior played five NCAA Tournament games over the last three seasons at TCU. He scored 19 points last year in a 88-72 first-round loss to Utah State. He has 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season.
The 13-seeded Grand Canyon will need an upset first, as they play 4-seed Maryland in Seattle Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, The Lady Lopes — also conference champs — ride a 30-game win streak into their first round NCAA tournament matchup with Baylor Friday afternoon in Waco, Texas.
