Consider it Arizona's best kept sports secret: Grand Canyon Basketball.
And I'm not just talking about the product on the floor, I'm talking about the environment in the arena.
When the Lopes are in town, the students at GCU blow the roof off of Grand Canyon Arena.
"A basketball game at GCU is more than just a game, it's a whole event," said Brandon Kaiser, the president of the Havocs.
The Havocs are GCU's student section, and they make enough noise to rattle any opponent. It's truly something to see.
Before tip, music blares and the dance party begins. As the team takes the court and players are announced, the lights dim and the students sway in unison.
As the lights come up, the whole Havocs section jumps and points in unison at the opposing team as they head to center court. They stay jumping and pointing all the way until tip.
It's an environment you'd expect to see at Duke, North Carolina and Arizona, yet it's also right here at GCU.
"I've played in some of the biggest arenas in the NBA and this is exciting," said head coach Dan Majerle.
For some perspective, Grand Canyon's home environment really is a home court advantage, especially as they enter conference play.
"Sometimes when we go on the road, we'll play in front of maybe 1,000 people, when teams come here, they're playing in front of 7,200 screaming fans that are all GCU," said Majerle.
The Lopes are currently 16-2, and off to the best start in their division one history.
I'd say it's safe to say the Havocs have been a big part of that. And their still growing.
"Our goal is to be a nationally recognized student section, top 25 or top 10. So when students hear GCU and they hear the Havocs they think ‘man I don't want to go there'," said Kaiser.
So if you haven't seen a GCU basketball game yet, head out to Grand Canyon Arena and check them out, you won't be disappointed.
