GCU releases men’s basketball schedule, hosts ASU in December

The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team released its 2020-21 schedule on Monday.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lopes loaded up the beginning of their schedule with seven straight home games to start off the season.

However, attendance will be “restricted to a limited number of students,” according to a press release.

GCU will start its campaign on Nov. 25 when it hosts Grambling State.

The first seven games of the year will also feature the first Division I meeting with Arizona State on Dec. 13.

The Sun Devils — who are ranked No. 18 in the AP preseason poll — have played GCU twice prior, but the Lopes had not yet become a D-I program.

Following the seven-game homestand, GCU will travel to Las Vegas to play in the Far West Classic to take on San Francisco (Dec. 20) and Colorado (Dec. 22).

The Lopes were originally scheduled to play San Francisco in the Jerry Colangelo Classic, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Scheduling has been very complicated and ever-changing this year,” GCU head coach Bryce Drew said in the release. “It is nice to have a full schedule set in place as we approach the start of a new season.”

GCU added eight non-conference home games to the docket, including a Dec. 1 visit from Mississippi Valley State, who is led by former Phoenix Suns coach Lindsey Hunter.

The Lopes will begin conference play on Jan. 8 on the road against Tarleton State and conclude with the WAC Tournament that will be held in Las Vegas from March 11-13.

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