What Grand Canyon men's basketball must do to get a first-round WAC tourney bye
Grand Canyon's men's basketball team was the preseason favorite to win the WAC. Now, if faces two-must win games on the road if it wants to get a bye in the tournament.
The Antelopes (18-11, 9-7) travel to play at Southern Utah on Wednesday night then at Utah Tech on Friday to close out the regular season.
Lose one of those games, and they're more than likely looking at starting the Western Athletic Conference Tournament next Tuesday in Las Vegas at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Sweep the Utah trip and the Lopes have a shot at getting a first-round bye and not starting until March 9.
They have to finish among the top four teams to receive a bye.
If they don't, the Lopes would have to win four games in five days to get into the NCAA Tournament.
There are three teams in front of them for that fourth spot -- Southern Utah (19-10, 11-5), Seattle U (19-10, 10-6) and Stephen F. Austin (19-10, 11-5).
GCU could have controlled its destiny but lost at home to Seattle U on Friday. Now, they'll likely need help, if it takes two in Utah.
Seattle U finishes against Utah Tech (12-17, 4-12) and first-place Utah Valley (22-7, 13-3). SFA finishes against second-place Sam Houston (22-6, 12-4) and Utah Valley. Southern Utah finishes against California Baptist (15-14, 7-9).
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What GCU basketball needs to do to get a first-round WAC tourney bye
