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For years, Bryce Drew built Grand Canyon into one of the most respected programs outside college basketball’s traditional power structure. NCAA Tournament appearances became expected. Sellout crowds inside GCU Arena became the norm. Winning conference championships became part of the program’s identity.
Now, entering Year 2 in the Mountain West Conference, the expectations have reached another level.
The Lopes are no longer viewed as a rising program hoping to establish itself among the West’s best. They are viewed as a legitimate conference title contender.
GCU enters the season ranked second in the preseason Mountain West Coaches Poll, trailing only New Mexico despite receiving more first-place votes than the Lobos. The Lopes also placed four players on the preseason All-Mountain West teams and received votes in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, further signaling the respect the program has earned on both the conference and national stages.
At the same time, preseason KenPom projections paint an equally promising picture. The Lopes are projected to have the nation’s No. 24 defense and a top-60 offense, giving them the profile of a team capable of competing for championships and earning another NCAA Tournament berth. GCU enters the season with an Adjusted Offensive Efficiency of 113.9 (59th nationally), an Adjusted Defensive Efficiency of 95.7 (24th nationally), and an Adjusted Tempo of 72.1 possessions per game (132nd nationally).
The pieces are in place.
Now comes the challenge of turning potential into banners.
The Transfer Portal Blueprint Fueling GCU’s Rise
College basketball is no longer built solely through high school recruiting.
Championship contenders are increasingly built through the transfer portal, and few programs have navigated that landscape better than Grand Canyon in recent years. Under Bryce Drew, the Lopes have developed a reputation for identifying experienced players from a variety of levels and placing them in positions to thrive. [gculopes.com]
This year’s roster may be the best example yet.
GCU’s projected rotation features players who have competed at nearly every level of Division I basketball, from the Mountain West and Big Ten to the ACC, Big 12, Big East and Big 12. That experience gives the Lopes a maturity level that few teams can match.
The headline additions begin with Tre Holloman, who arrived after stops at Michigan State and NC State. Holloman brings leadership, postseason experience and the type of veteran point guard play that often determines conference races. [gculopes.com]
The Lopes also added former high-major talents such as Omaha Biliew, whose journey included Iowa State and Wake Forest, and Blake Barkley, who played at Northwestern before continuing his career at East Tennessee State. Both arrive with the physical tools and experience to immediately strengthen GCU’s frontcourt depth. [gculopes.com]
Additional portal additions such as Amarion Dickerson, Dan Skillings Jr., Tyler Behrend, Jack Sawyer, and Jaden Zimmerman have all taken unique paths to Phoenix, creating one of the deepest and most experienced rosters in the Mountain West. [gculopes.com]
What makes GCU’s portal strategy particularly effective is that the staff is not simply collecting talent. The Lopes are targeting players who fit an identity.
Review the full GCU transfer portal breakdown here:
That identity includes:
- Defensive versatility
- Positional length
- Athleticism on the perimeter
- Veteran decision-makers
- Frontcourt physicality
- Players who have experienced winning basketball
Those traits are evident throughout the roster.
Rather than relying on one star, GCU enters the season with multiple former high-level recruits and experienced transfers capable of impacting games in different ways. The result is a team built for the grind of Mountain West play, where depth often proves just as important as top-end talent.
The challenge, of course, will be chemistry.
Every transfer portal success story eventually comes down to whether talented individuals can become a cohesive unit. Roles must be established. Rotations must be defined. Player sacrifices must be made.
If Drew and his staff can bring those pieces together, the transfer-heavy approach could produce one of the most talented teams in program history.
And that is why the portal is such a major storyline entering the season.
GCU’s championship hopes won’t rest solely on one player, one game or one moment.
They will rest on whether a roster assembled from across college basketball can come together and fulfill the enormous expectations that now surround Grand Canyon basketball. [gculopes.com]
The State of the Program
Few programs have experienced the sustained growth GCU has enjoyed under Bryce Drew.
The move into the Mountain West elevated the level of competition, but it also elevated the perception of the program nationally. The conference annually sends multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament and is regarded as one of the strongest basketball leagues outside the Power Conferences.
Instead of merely surviving the transition, GCU enters its second season positioned near the top of the league hierarchy.
That circumstance says everything about where the program stands today.
The Lopes aren’t chasing respect anymore.
They’re expected to win.
Why Expectations Are So High
Championship expectations are usually built on three pillars:
- Elite players
- Elite defense
- Veteran leadership
GCU checks all three boxes.
The Lopes feature one of the conference’s deepest collections of experienced players, including transfers from programs such as Michigan State, NC State, Wake Forest, USC, Minnesota, and Northwestern. The roster also includes several returning contributors familiar with Drew’s system and expectations.
What separates this team from many previous GCU squads, however, is its defensive ceiling.
The projected No. 24 defensive ranking from KenPom is national-contender territory.
If those projections prove accurate, the Lopes will have an opportunity to compete with anyone on their schedule.
Amarion Dickerson: The Star Who Can Elevate GCU’s Ceiling
When opposing Mountain West coaches discuss Grand Canyon’s roster, the conversation often starts with Amarion Dickerson. Standing 6-foot-7 with elite athleticism and positional versatility, Dickerson possesses the type of physical tools usually found at the highest levels of college basketball. After stops at Robert Morris and USC, he arrives in Phoenix with both high-major experience and significant expectations. [gculopes.com]
What makes Dickerson special is his two-way impact. Few players in the conference can influence a game in as many ways. He can guard opposing point guards on one possession, switch onto a forward the next, and still provide value on the glass. For a team projected to rank among the nation’s best defensive units, his versatility is invaluable.
The next step in his development is becoming a more consistent offensive threat. Defensively, Dickerson has already shown the ability to alter games. If he develops into a reliable scoring option capable of creating his own shot late in possessions, he could emerge as one of the premier players in the Mountain West.
For GCU to win a conference championship, Dickerson doesn’t simply need to be good. He needs to become a star.
Tre Holloman: The Floor General Built for Championship Basketball
Every great team has a player who keeps everything organized.
For Grand Canyon, that player is likely to be Tre Holloman. The fifth-year guard arrives after spending time at Michigan State and NC State, two programs accustomed to competing on the national stage. His experience playing in pressure-packed environments gives the Lopes something every contender needs: stability at the point guard position. [gculopes.com]
Holloman’s value extends far beyond scoring. He understands pace, game management, and decision-making in critical moments. While casual fans often focus on points per game, championship teams frequently rise or fall based on their point guard’s ability to limit mistakes and create opportunities for teammates.
The Mountain West is loaded with talented veteran guards. Teams like New Mexico, San Diego State, and Boise State annually rely on experienced backcourts. Holloman’s arrival gives GCU a player capable of matching that level of leadership and composure.
If the Lopes are cutting down nets in March, Holloman will almost certainly be one of the biggest reasons why.
Dylan Darling: The Veteran Foundation
While several newcomers have generated headlines, the importance of Dylan Darling cannot be overstated. Every successful team needs veterans who understand how to navigate the ups and downs of a long season, and few players are better equipped to embrace that role than Darling. [gculopes.com]
Darling brings scoring ability, toughness, and maturity to one of the deepest rosters in the conference. His experience should prove especially valuable during Mountain West play, where road games are rarely easy and momentum can swing quickly throughout league competition.
Perhaps most importantly, Darling provides balance to the roster. With transfers learning new roles and younger players looking to expand theirs, his steady presence can help maintain consistency when adversity inevitably arrives.
Championship teams are often defined by stars, but they’re sustained by veterans. Darling fits squarely into the latter category.
Omaha Biliew: The Ultimate X-Factor
No player on GCU’s roster creates more intrigue than Omaha Biliew. The former high-profile recruit brings remarkable athletic traits to Phoenix and enters the season as one of the most fascinating players in the Mountain West. [gculopes.com]
At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, Biliew combines size, strength, speed, and explosiveness. He has the ability to defend multiple positions, finish above the rim, and create matchup problems that few opponents can solve.
The reason Biliew is such an important piece isn’t because of what he has already done. It’s because of what he could become.
If he develops into a consistent offensive option, GCU suddenly has another player capable of taking over games. The difference between a good team and a championship team often comes down to having multiple stars. Biliew has the potential to become exactly that type of player.
For a roster already loaded with talent, his development may ultimately determine just how high the ceiling rises.
Jaden Henley: The Glue That Holds Everything Together
Not every important player is a leading scorer.
Jaden Henley enters the season as one of the most valuable returning pieces in Bryce Drew’s program because he already understands what winning basketball looks like at Grand Canyon. [gculopes.com]
Henley’s versatility allows the coaching staff to use him in several different ways. One night he may be tasked with defending an opposing star. Another night he might be asked to provide additional rebounding or offensive production. Players who can successfully fill multiple roles often become indispensable over the course of a season.
His familiarity with Drew’s system also gives him a unique advantage. While transfers continue adjusting to new teammates and expectations, Henley already knows what the coaching staff demands on a daily basis.
Every contender needs players willing to do whatever is necessary to win. Henley may be the best example of that on the roster.
Blake Barkley: The Dark Horse Every Contender Needs
Championship teams are rarely remembered only for their stars. Often, an overlooked veteran emerges as an essential piece of the puzzle.
For Grand Canyon, that player could be Blake Barkley. The experienced forward arrives with stops at Northwestern and East Tennessee State, bringing valuable experience and frontcourt toughness to the Lopes. [gculopes.com]
Mountain West basketball is often won through physicality. Rebounding battles, defensive stops, and second-chance opportunities frequently determine conference standings. Barkley possesses the type of rugged playing style that translates well throughout the league schedule.
While he may never lead GCU in scoring, his ability to defend, rebound, and provide versatile frontcourt minutes could make him one of the team’s most trusted players by season’s end.
The best teams always need role players willing to embrace difficult assignments. Barkley appears poised to fill that role.
Efe Demirel: The Piece That Could Unlock an Elite Defense
A projected top-25 defense requires rim protection, and that responsibility may fall heavily on 7-foot-1 sophomore Efe Demirel. [gculopes.com]
The Turkish big man gives GCU something few teams in the conference possess: genuine size. His presence alone changes the way opponents attack the basket, and his development will be closely monitored throughout the season.
If Demirel can become a reliable rim protector and rebounder, GCU’s defense could elevate from very good to elite. His ability to anchor the paint would allow the Lopes’ athletic wings to play aggressively on the perimeter, creating more turnovers and transition opportunities.
Championship teams often need a defensive anchor.
Demirel has an opportunity to become exactly that.
Biggest Strength: Defense
If Grand Canyon is going to contend for a Mountain West championship and secure another NCAA Tournament berth, it will likely be because of its defense.
The preseason metrics suggest the Lopes could field one of the nation’s premier defensive units, with KenPom projecting GCU’s adjusted defensive efficiency at No. 24 nationally. That ranking places the Lopes among the elite defensive teams in college basketball and reflects the roster construction Bryce Drew and his staff have prioritized over the past several seasons. [gculopes.com]
What makes this defense particularly intriguing is its versatility. GCU has assembled a roster filled with long, athletic wings who can defend multiple positions. Players such as Amarion Dickerson, Jaden Henley, and Omaha Biliew provide the length and athleticism necessary to switch assignments, pressure opposing ball handlers, and disrupt passing lanes. Their ability to guard several positions allows the Lopes to create matchup problems without sacrificing physicality or size. [gculopes.com]
The experience level across the roster further elevates the defensive ceiling. Many of GCU’s key contributors have competed at the high-major level and understand the discipline required to win games on the defensive end. Veteran guards such as Tre Holloman and Dylan Darling provide toughness at the point of attack, while the frontcourt offers a combination of size, rebounding, and rim protection. The presence of 7-foot-1 Efe Demirel gives the Lopes a true interior presence capable of altering shots and protecting the paint. [gculopes.com]
Defense has become the defining characteristic of many of Bryce Drew’s most successful teams, and this group has the potential to be his best defensive roster yet. In a conference loaded with experienced guards and NCAA Tournament contenders, the ability to consistently get stops may be what separates GCU from the rest of the Mountain West. If the Lopes can live up to their preseason defensive projections, they will enter every game with a chance to win and could emerge as one of the most difficult teams to face in the conference by March. [gculopes.com]
Biggest Concern: Finding Offensive Balance
For all of the talent on Grand Canyon’s roster, the biggest challenge may not be a lack of scoring. It may be having too much of it.
The modern transfer portal era has created rosters filled with players accustomed to being featured options at previous stops, and GCU is no exception. Veterans such as Tre Holloman, Dylan Darling, Amarion Dickerson, Omaha Biliew, and several other experienced transfers arrive with proven résumés and expectations for meaningful offensive roles. [gculopes.com]
On paper, having numerous scoring options appears to be a luxury. In reality, some of the most talented rosters in college basketball struggle because offensive responsibilities are never fully defined. Players can press to create offense, possessions can become stagnant, and teams sometimes spend months figuring out who should take the biggest shots in critical moments. The best teams typically have clear roles and an understanding of where the offense should flow when games become tight.
That is the challenge facing Bryce Drew and his staff entering the season. The Lopes have plenty of players capable of scoring 10 to 15 points on a given night, but identifying a consistent offensive hierarchy will be critical. When GCU faces the upper tier of the Mountain West Conference or finds itself in a one-possession game in March, someone must emerge as the reliable closer. [gculopes.com]
The encouraging news is that GCU has experienced leaders and a veteran coaching staff capable of managing those dynamics. Guards such as Holloman and Darling should help create structure offensively, while returning players like Jaden Henley understand the standards and expectations within the program. [gculopes.com]
Ultimately, the Lopes’ championship hopes may come down to chemistry as much as talent. There is little question that GCU has enough scoring options to compete with anyone in the conference. The bigger question is whether those pieces can come together, embrace defined roles, and sacrifice individual numbers for team success. If they do, this roster has the potential to become one of the best teams in program history. If not, offensive consistency could become the one thing standing between the Lopes and a Mountain West championship. [gculopes.com]
Games That Could Define the Season
Saint Louis (Nov. 24)
This matchup may not generate the attention of Florida or Oklahoma State, but it is exactly the type of game NCAA Tournament hopefuls need to win.
Saint Louis has been one of the more respected programs in the Atlantic 10 over the past decade, and games against quality mid-major and upper-tier non-power opponents often become critical when evaluating tournament résumés in March. [gculopes.com]
A victory would:
- Strengthen GCU’s NET profile
- Provide a neutral-site quality win
- Build momentum heading into the toughest stretch of non-conference play
- Help establish the Lopes as a legitimate at-large candidate
These are the games that separate good teams from teams capable of earning NCAA Tournament consideration without relying on an automatic bid.
Oklahoma State (Dec. 2)
This may be the toughest true road test on the schedule.
Winning on the road against a Power Conference opponent remains one of the most valuable achievements in college basketball. Oklahoma State presents a hostile environment, high-major athleticism, and the type of physical play GCU will see throughout Mountain West competition. [gculopes.com]
Why it matters:
- Road wins carry significant NCAA Tournament value
- Enhances strength of schedule metrics
- Tests GCU’s veteran leadership away from home
- Provides a preview of how the Lopes handle tournament-style environments
If GCU can walk into Stillwater and leave with a victory, it would be one of the most impressive wins of Bryce Drew’s tenure.
Santa Clara (Dec. 5)
This game might quietly become one of the most important contests on the entire non-conference slate.
Santa Clara has developed into one of the most consistent programs on the West Coast and frequently posts strong NET and KenPom numbers. While it may not have the national brand recognition of Florida or Oklahoma State, this is the exact type of game the Selection Committee pays attention to when evaluating at-large candidates. [gculopes.com]
Florida (Dec. 18)
This is the game that could have the biggest national impact on GCU’s résumé.
Florida enters the season as one of the premier programs in the country and a perennial SEC contender. Regardless of where the Gators are ranked when the game is played, this matchup gives the Lopes an opportunity very few mid-major programs receive: a chance to earn a signature victory against an elite opponent. A win would immediately elevate GCU’s national profile and could become one of the best victories on any NCAA Tournament résumé outside the power conferences. [gculopes.com]
Why it matters:
- Quad 1 victory
- National television exposure
- Opportunity to prove GCU can compete with Top 25-caliber talent
- A résumé booster that could carry significant weight with the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee
Even if GCU doesn’t win, a competitive performance against a program like Florida would provide an important measuring stick for where the Lopes stand nationally.
Why it matters:
- Potential high-end NET opportunity
- Strong chance for a Quad 1 or Quad 2 result
- Similar caliber opponent to upper-tier Mountain West teams
- A game likely to age well on the résumé throughout the season
The difference between making and missing the NCAA Tournament can often come down to games like this.
Why This Stretch Defines GCU’s Season
The non-conference schedule gives GCU multiple opportunities to validate the lofty expectations surrounding the program.
The Lopes enter the season with:
- A No. 2 preseason Mountain West ranking
- More first-place votes than preseason favorite New Mexico
- Four preseason All-Mountain West selections
- AP Top 25 votes
- A projected top-25 defense nationally
But expectations alone won’t put GCU in the NCAA Tournament.
The stretch featuring Florida, Saint Louis, Oklahoma State, and Santa Clara will likely determine whether the Lopes enter Mountain West play simply as a conference contender or as a nationally respected team with legitimate at-large aspirations.
A 3-1 or 4-0 record in those games could propel GCU into the national rankings conversation. A poor showing would leave far less margin for error once conference play begins.
Season Prediction
The expectation should not simply be another winning season.
The expectation should be competing for championships.
Consider the evidence:
- No. 2 in the Mountain West preseason poll
- More first-place votes than preseason favorite New Mexico
- Four preseason All-Mountain West selections
- AP Top 25 votes
- Projected No. 24 defense nationally
- Veteran backcourt leadership
- Elite athleticism on the wing
- Outstanding frontcourt depth
That is the profile of a conference title contender.
Predicted Finish: Top 3 in the Mountain West
Projected Record: 24-27 wins
Postseason Outlook: NCAA Tournament contender throughout the season
Player Most Likely to Become a Star: Amarion Dickerson
Biggest X-Factor: Omaha Biliew
Most Important Newcomer: Tre Holloman
Final Word
For years, GCU basketball fought for national respect. Now, the Lopes have it.
Entering the 2026-27 season, Grand Canyon is no longer viewed as an underdog or a rising program. The Lopes are viewed as a legitimate Mountain West contender, a consistent NCAA Tournament team, and with one of the most talented rosters in program history, a chance to define history.
With championship expectations, proven veterans, impact transfers, and a defense capable of carrying the program through the toughest stretches of the season, the foundation is in place for something special.
Everything Grand Canyon wants is still in front of it.
The only thing left to do is prove it on the court.
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