*** USC MBB (4-0) vs. Grand Canyon (3-0) Arizona Tip-off Title Game Thread ***

[kingofnerf]

Gamecocks Face Lopes in Arizona Tip-Off Title Game Sunday

Two teams are undefeated ; Carolina seeking to extend its best start to a season since 2016-17

gamecocksonline.com

Sunday’s title tilt at Desert Diamond Arena will be the first ever matchup between Carolina and Grand Canyon. The Lopes are led by former Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew. They won the WAC last season and were a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament, falling 82-70 to Gonzaga in the round of 64.

(Photo courtesy South Carolina Athletics)

Bryce Drew was a disappointment at Vandy, but let's not forget how many times he took Valpo to the Big Dance before taking the Vandy job.

Tonight's game will not be a cake walk by any stretch of the imagination. Great measuring stick game for Lamont as a P5 head coach.

 

[AikenGameFan]

Huge win for our guys. The Lopes played tough ball the entire game but our guys really turned it on in the 2nd half.

Mack scores 27, South Carolina beats Grand Canyon to Win Arizona Tip-Off

Graduate transfer from Charlotte was named tournament MVP, scoring 21 of his 27 points in the second half Sunday night

gamecocksonline.com

Another big game next Tuesday against Notre Dame here at home.

 

[Spur's Addiction]

Never heard of Gran Canyon college. But a win is a win, and starting 5-0 is nothing to sneeze at, even if it is these early season games.

 

[AikenGameFan]

Never heard of Gran Canyon college. But a win is a win, and starting 5-0 is nothing to sneeze at, even if it is these early season games.

I had not heard of them either but apparently they are stepping up. The Lopes are led by former Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew. They won the WAC last season and were a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

I understand winning the WAC may not be a big deal, but it was enough to get them to the show and they had to win games to get the title.

 

[kingofnerf]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-9je82dgiQ

 

[kingofnerf]

Lamont said he had to get the right players for the style of basketball he wanted to play. Gone are the awkward middle linebacker body types and in are the ones more suited for P5D1 basketball. The head cases are also gone and great unselfish play on offense.

A great game between two well-coached teams. It won't be easy, but I don't see us losing any OOC games this season, including the Clemson game.