With the 2015-2016 college sports season beginning to take shape here is one number to know for just about every team sport at Grand Canyon University.
Baseball – 4
When GCU scores 4 or more runs, the Lopes were 29-4. GCU scored 4 or more runs in every single win except for two games, a 2-1 win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee in February and 1-0 win against Tennessee in March. When the Lopes score less than 4 runs they are 2-18.
The magic number in baseball is usually 4. If you can score 4 runs on average per game you are statistically more probable to win more than half your contests.
Men’s Basketball – 30
The new shot clock length for NCAA Men’s Basketball games this year. Look for the Lopes offense to change very little, or not at all, as Dan Majerle loves to push the pace and run the floor to maximize the amount of possessions per game. Look for the new shot clock to affect opponents more than the Lopes.
Men’s Soccer – 19
Grand Canyon scored 19 goals in 20 games in 2014. The Lopes were 5-4-2 when scoring in a contest in 2014. When the Lopes did not score they were 0-8-1. Look for the Hyndman style to increase the amount of balls GCU puts in the back of the net and look for the Lopes to increase their win total above five games.
Men’s Volleyball – 7
The Lopes will be the most veteran program in the MIVA this coming season returning all seven of their starting seven players. The Lopes will look for even more consistent production from all seven players and have the possibility to compete for a conference championship if everyone buys in and works selflessly and hard for the team goals.
Women’s Basketball – 60
When the Lopes score 60 points or more they are 10-5 but are 3-9 when they score less than 60 points. 60 is the magic number for the Lopes and if they can manufacture 60 points or more per game with the small 8 woman squad this season they will be in a good place to be an above .500 team this season.
Women’s Soccer – 29
Do NOT call the Lady Lopes soft. The team accumulated 2 yellow cards last campaign, 17 more than the team with the second most about of cautions. The Lopes will continue to play physically and go strong and confident into tackles.
Softball – .335
GCU’s softball team can swing the bat. With nine players hitting over .300 for the season collecting a .335 AVG for the team for the season, the Lopes ran away with 308 runs in their 50 games guiding the team to a second place WAC finish.
Women’s Volleyball – 455
The amount of kills the Lopes will be losing via Shannon Dugan’s graduation. The Lopes have the depth and the potential to make up the 455 kills through Sophomore Randahl Powers, Freshman Melody Horton, and Freshman Katrice Pond. The three outside hitters have the potential and ability to put a collective 455 balls away or to accumulate that on their own. Freshman Natalie Tardy racked up 427 kills in 2014 as a freshman and the three other pins have the ability to do the same damage this season.
Grand Canyon University is entering their third year of the transition between Division 2 and Division 1 competition and they are making the adjustment smoothly in just about every sport.
Full Count Sports 