Grand Canyon University has sold out its men’s basketball home season tickets for 2017-18 in its first year of being NCAA Tournament eligible.

“Perfect timing,” coach Dan Majerle said.

The Antelopes, who begin official practices on Friday, finished in second place in the Western Athletic Conference in their final three seasons during the probation period, transitioning from Division II to I.

They are officially Division I now and eligible for the WAC tournament, where the winner receives an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

Majerle believes this could be his deepest, strongest team since he began his tenure four years ago.

Home court has become a huge advantage and a recruiting tool in the 7,205-seat GCU Arena, which features one of the nation’s loudest student sections, called “The Havocs.”

“It’s just going to add to one of the best atmospheres in all of college basketball,” Majerle said in a release. “The interest is great and hopefully we’ll keep it going and have a terrific year.”

During holiday break – Nov. 18, Nov. 20, Nov. 25, Dec. 18 and Dec. 21 – when the students will be away, five-game ticket packages will become available at $50. Those fans also will be added to a priority list for season tickets for the next season.

There will be a limited number of mezzanine level standing room only tickets available at $5 for all home games, starting on Oct. 12

The Antelopes play St. John’s at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Dec. 5 at 9:30 p.m. on ESPNU in a double-header, following the Arizona-Texas A&M game, as part of the Valley of the Sun Shootout. That is a neutral-site game for GCU.

GCU plays an exhibition at home Nov. 2 against Saint Francis (Ill.), before opening at home Nov. 10 against Florida A&M.

 

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