Despite tournament ineligibility, GCU coach Dan Majerle experiencing success

Former Phoenix Suns star Dan Majerle took over the reins of the Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team last season — its first year at the Division I level — and led the Antelopes to a surprising .500 record.

Majerle’s feat was more impressive considering that, under NCAA rules, the ‘Lopes won’t be eligible for the NCAA Tournament until their four-year D-I probationary period is complete.

On Monday, Majerle told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that two years is a more reasonable probationary period. “But that’s the hand that we’re dealt and we’re dealing with it, and we’re going to go out there and continue to recruit hard and find the best players we can,” he said.

“As we keep growing and we get out there and people start to recognize us, we’ll get better and better players. It’s hard when you can’t go to the tournament because that’s what high school players want, but we have a lot more to offer here.”