Paul Coro

Phoenix

Senior Writer and Web Editor at Grand Canyon Athletics

Lopes Insider for Grand Canyon University. https://t.co/oDqZmL05la writer/editor. @GCU_MBB radio analyst. Proud pop. In west Phoenix, born and raised, on the playground...

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Articles

Faith, winning drew Murrell to GCU coaching staff

2 weeks ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

No matter how often Kam Murrell pinches himself, he still is amid the reality of being in the first days of a dream life scenario as a Grand Canyon assistant coach. Murrell and his expectant wife, S.J., prayed for him to land a position at a program that would surround him with faith as much as winning.
Thirst comes out first in summer workouts

3 weeks ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

With a gymful of mostly newcomers, Grand Canyon started summer workouts this week with no need of introductory name tags. These Lopes gathered because of one another, whether they are the first signees committing to join successful Lopes coaches and returning players or the ensuing signees who were drawn by the talent that sixth-year head coach Bryce Drew signed to bulid upon a program with the nation's 16th-most wins (120) in the 2020s.
7-foot-1 Turkish center Demirel joins GCU

3 weeks ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

Separated by nearly 7,000 miles, Grand Canyon and Efe Demirel are coming together over a commonality – basketball. The Lopes are adding a difference-making, 7-foot-1 center who has been seasoned with year-round play at high levels in Turkey. Demirel can play for GCU in the upcoming season, adding to a highly rated transfer portal class of five previously signed players and a pair of experienced returning guards.
Lottich joins GCU staff, reconnects with Drew

4 weeks ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

Grand Canyon and Bryce Drew have been a winning formula. Part of keeping that Lopes success going will include Drew drawing from the past winning formula of coaching with Matt Lottich. Lottich will reunite with Drew as his assistant coach at GCU this year after serving as Drew's assistant coach previously for three seasons (2013-16) at Valparaiso. "Matt will be a great addition to our staff and program," Drew said. "He has great experience as a head coach, assistant coach and player.
Colangelo event pairs GCU-Oklahoma State, UA-OU

1 month ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

Just as Jerry Colangelo is synonymous with quality basketball and downtown Phoenix, Grand Canyon is a staple for a high-profile nonconference event in the heart of Phoenix. In the Lopes' eighth trip to downtown PHX Arena over nine seasons, the Jerry Colangelo Classic is creating an Arizona-Oklahoma interstate doubleheader with GCU facing Oklahoma State and Arizona playing Oklahoma on Dec. 6 at the Phoenix Suns and Mercury venue.
Season of high moments ends with 2-loss day

1 month ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

MESA, Ariz. – This season's Grand Canyon baseball team that upset three top-25 teams and went 14-9 against top-100 RPI opponents lost seven of its last eight games. The Lopes team that ranked among the nation's top 35 for ERA through the first 30 games at 4.15 gave up 10.9 runs per game in that 1-7, season-ending stretch.
3-homer inning keeps GCU alive at Tucosn Regional

1 month ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

TUCSON, Ariz. – Trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning, Grand Canyon needed a charge in a must-win Tucson Regional game. The Lopes electrified Hillenbrand Stadium with a three-homer fourth inning that wiped out the lead on the way to No. 24 GCU;s 9-4 Saturday victory that eliminated WCC champion Santa Clara. At 7:50 p.,m. Saturday, GCU (47-7) plays another elimination game on ESPN against No. 13 host Arizona (46-12), the regional's top seed that lost 10-8 to Ole Miss earlier Saturday.
Title game peek preceded Smith move to GCU

1 month ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

After his UC Riverside team was eliminated in the Big West Championship, Kaleb Smith remained in Las Vegas and still had a March Madness-sized appetite for basketball. Unknowingly, Smith took a peek into his basketball future when he watched Grand Canyon defeat Utah Valley in the WAC Tournament championship at a purple-blanketed Orleans Arena. Less than two months later, Smith is a Lope.
Diehl ties for 7th at NCAA Reno Regional

1 month ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

RENO, Nev. – A two-day stretch of inclement weather broke Wednesday, but the Grand Canyon men's golfers could not get breaks. Entering the final round four strokes from the final NCAA Championship spot at the Reno Regional, GCU retreated to an 11th-place finish in a pack of six teams (sixth through 11th) separated by seven strokes in the three-round tournament at Montreux Golf and Country Club.
Surge puts Lopes in final-day mix for national spot

1 month ago | gculopes.com | Paul Coro

RENO, Nev. – The NCAA Reno Regional drew the desert dwellars from Grand Canyon into a seemingly unfitting setting. After GCU golfers faced Monday's gusty winds, Tuesday brought morning frost with snow blowing off nearby Mount Rose and afternoon drizzle and near-freezing temperatures as they wrapped a 25-hole day. All the Lopes did with the elements was rise as temperatures dropped.