Anyone who wants to get an early look at Grand Canyon can tune in to espn+ Wednesday night as they will play an exhibition game against Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).

Grand Canyon won their exhibition game 104-46. They were the WAC tournament winners last year and the preseason pick to win the WAC this year. They have 9 new players. 2 freshmen and 7 transfers from: Louisville, Oregon, (2) Arizona St., DePaul, Georgia St., and N. Colorado. People may recognize one name on their roster, Gabe McGlothan. He played his freshman year at SEMO and of course he is a Preseason All-WAC selection, their returning leading rebounder and one of their top 2 scorers. This team is loaded and their home court advantage puts Murray St. to shame. They had a crowd of 7093 for their exhibition game.

The opening line is out. Grand Canyon -15 1/2 with a total of 143 1/2. What does everyone think.?

(11-03-2023 06:52 AM)semosupporter Wrote:  The opening line is out. Grand Canyon -15 1/2 with a total of 143 1/2. What does everyone think.?

That line seems about right. They are a really good veteran team playing at home with a tremendous home atmosphere. We have some talent but will be on the road with some of our veteran players figuring out new roles and new players getting acclimated. I hope we can surprise them and play it close but I think we will have some rough early games but improve drastically as the year goes on.

(11-03-2023 08:12 AM)Myers Hall Zuke Wrote:  

(11-03-2023 06:52 AM)semosupporter Wrote:  The opening line is out. Grand Canyon -15 1/2 with a total of 143 1/2. What does everyone think.?

That line seems about right. They are a really good veteran team playing at home with a tremendous home atmosphere. We have some talent but will be on the road with some of our veteran players figuring out new roles and new players getting acclimated. I hope we can surprise them and play it close but I think we will have some rough early games but improve drastically as the year goes on.

One thing to take into consideration is in Korn's first 3 years here we have been on the road AND an underdog in the first game of the year. We not only covered in each of those games we won them outright. At UMKC by 5, at Missouri St. by 5, and at S. Florida by 3. So I would say he has us well prepared for that first game.

Now I'm not saying we will win the game against Grand Canyon. That would be a monumental upset. But I'll be disappointed if we don't play them tough.

You're right about them being very good but they do have 9 new players. For those of you that aren't familiar with Grand Canyon I would say they have one of the best atmosphere's in college basketball. The place will be packed and the fans are really into the game. I would feel better if Clark was available at 100%.

(11-03-2023 09:02 AM)semosupporter Wrote:  

(11-03-2023 08:12 AM)Myers Hall Zuke Wrote:  

(11-03-2023 06:52 AM)semosupporter Wrote:  The opening line is out. Grand Canyon -15 1/2 with a total of 143 1/2. What does everyone think.?

That line seems about right. They are a really good veteran team playing at home with a tremendous home atmosphere. We have some talent but will be on the road with some of our veteran players figuring out new roles and new players getting acclimated. I hope we can surprise them and play it close but I think we will have some rough early games but improve drastically as the year goes on.

One thing to take into consideration is in Korn's first 3 years here we have been on the road AND an underdog in the first game of the year. We not only covered in each of those games we won them outright. At UMKC by 5, at Missouri St. by 5, and at S. Florida by 3. So I would say he has us well prepared for that first game.

Now I'm not saying we will win the game against Grand Canyon. That would be a monumental upset. But I'll be disappointed if we don't play them tough.

You're right about them being very good but they do have 9 new players. For those of you that aren't familiar with Grand Canyon I would say they have one of the best atmosphere's in college basketball. The place will be packed and the fans are really into the game. I would feel better if Clark was available at 100%.

I think we play them pretty tough for most of the game but they pull away at the end and cover the number.

I saw a ranking of best fans and Grand Canyon was 10 and maybe even top 5. That is a big difference between the previous opening games

Game notes says Branson is out with a foot injury

They said Smart, Martin, Early, Stacker, & Biel are the starters

Their announcers win the award for most annoying duo in existence.

GCU is going to be a pretty damn good team this year, their defense is good and some exciting players

I hope Kobe Clark stays healthy and can gain his form on offense when we get into conference. He is going to be a beast in the OVC on the defensive side and on the boards

(11-06-2023 09:16 PM)Captain ******* Wrote:  Their announcers win the award for most annoying duo in existence.

I agree, they are hard to listen to. Very corny and over the top on everything.

Elkamil hasn't gotten a lot of run except the end of the half but I have liked what I have seen from him

There was some great intensity in an offensive rebound battle around the 12:00 mark or thereabouts against a bigger and faster team. This should be some good experience to start the year with

I feel like we won't be making a ton of 3's this year.
While in the half court I have liked what I have seen from the defense for the most part. The offense has been really sloppy, trying to force things and not smart with the ball. I do think we have the talent to compete in the OVC, just need to get the work in and come together with the new faces

Elkamil has some good stuff

That is a VERY GOOD Grand Canyon team. They are much quicker than most "mid-major" teams that I've seen. I think the best take away for us was our 3 point shooting 11-21 52.4%. The biggest disappointment was 6-15 40.0% from the line. I was really glad to see Clark back. Overall I think we can be a pretty good team by the time conference rolls around.