San Diego State vs. Grand Canyon

Global Credit Union Arena – Grand Canyon University

Wednesday, January 21 – 8 PM

The SDSU Aztecs travel to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix to take on their kryptonite: the Antelopes

San Diego State is coming off a big win versus the New Mexico Lobos this past weekend. Thanks to one of the better games Miles Byrd has played all season, the Aztecs are in sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Conference. The other reason they are in lone possession of first? Grand Canyon defeated the 23rd-ranked Utah State Aggies 84-74. The Lopes are an inconsistent bunch, but with the talent to compete with anyone in the conference.

The Aztecs are amid one of their hardest stretches of the conference season. San Diego State historically does not bode well against the Lopes of Grand Canyon. The two have only faced off five times, and the Aztecs are 1-4 in those games, 0-2 in Global Credit Union Arena. Grand Canyon seems to be the Aztecs’ kryptonite, so let’s get to know them.

Lopes Education

Grand Canyon is a team that is usually underrated around the country, with the possibility of making lots of noise. The Lopes certainly made some noise this past Saturday after defeating Utah State at home. Their reward after such a big win? A San Diego State Aztecs team that is on a roll.

Grand Canyon is 11-6 on the year, with their lone impressive win on the resume being against the aforementioned Aggies. They are ranked 90th in the NET and 85th in KenPom. The Lopes average 75.4 points per game and allow just 68.9. They rank as KenPom’s 31st-ranked defense and 153rd in offensive rating.

GCU is a combined 3-4 in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games so far this year, with their lone Quad 1 win being against the Aggies. San Diego State can gain another Quad 2 win on the team’s resume. GCU is 90th in NET rankings.

Leaders of the Herd

Grand Canyon is led by a familiar face, senior transfer Jaden Henley from UNLV. Last year against the Aztecs, Henley made four threes. He is a player this coaching staff and group of players are very accustomed to. The veteran from Ontario, California, leads the Lopes in scoring with a 16.9 points per game average. Henley has not been a sniper this year; instead, he has been making his money by getting downhill. Henley averages 6.1 free-throw attempts a game so far this year.

Coach Bryce Drew has plenty of options when it comes to someone being the secondary scoring option. The most notable being the UT Arlington transfer Makaih Williams. Williams averages just under 13 points a game at 12.8. The guard from Long Beach will shoot as many threes as he will twos.

A player who is going to be a huge problem for the Aztecs all night long, Nana Owusu-Anane, is a graduate transfer from Brown University. Owusu-Anane is very similar to Keshad Johnson, a player who does the dirty work and all the little things that contribute to winning. The young man from Canada averages 9.4 points per game and 9.8 rebounds. He may not be the best scorer, but he will make his presence known on the court. Diving for loose balls, forcing tough shots both at the rim and on the perimeter, Owusu-Anane is a tough player to replicate in practice. Containing him will be key to an Aztec victory.

Keys to Victory

The Aztecs will need to do one of their best jobs on defense without fouling. A big proponent of the Lopes’ win against Utah State was getting to the charity stripe 33 times. If the Aztecs are able to keep the Lopes at around 20 free-throw attempts or fewer, and under 30% shooting from three, then that will be the recipe for success to get San Diego State’s first-ever win at Global Credit Union Arena.

The player to watch for the Aztecs to lead them to victory is going to be Reese Dixon-Waters. Dixon-Waters has played better team basketball lately, but the shot still isn’t falling as he would like. Getting Dixon-Waters going on the offensive side of the ball should be the top priority for coach Brian Dutcher and his staff in this game.

3⃣rd 3⃣ of the night for RDW‼️

📺: @CBSSportsCBB pic.twitter.com/GFrKLSIAZ3

— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) January 15, 2026

A win on the road Wednesday night gives the Aztecs a much-needed Quad 2 win and resume builder.

Bryant Thursby

Bryant is an Assistant Coach at Heritage High School. He is a big-time SDSU fanatic and a Padres fan.