CHARLES Barkley has laid into the Grand Canyon Lopes following their March Madness exit.

The No. 12 Lopes were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday in a 72-61 loss to the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide.

5

‘That was some of the dumbest basketball I’ve ever seen grown college men [play],’ stated Charles Barkley following Grand Canyon’s 72-61 loss to AlabamaCredit: Barstool Sports

The Lopes totaled just five assists and converted just two of 20 three-pointers against the Crimson TideCredit: Getty
It was a thoroughly disappointing performance from Grand Canyon, converting just two of 20 three-pointers and totaling just five assists.

And NBA Hall of Famer Barkley didn’t hold back when evaluating their performance on Capital One Tournament Central.

“That was some of the dumbest basketball I’ve ever seen grown college men [play],” he claimed.

“[Mark] Sears (Alabama) was the only guy who played with complete composure the entire game.”

Barkley admitted to being unsure of “What [Grand Canyon] were doing offensively,” adding, “I don’t think they ran a play the entire second half.”

Later, he added, “They just went one-on-one every single time. They didn’t run any plays.”

Barkley also slammed their decision-making as some of the worst “that you’re ever gonna see a college team make out there.”

And when co-host Ernie Johson noted their total of five assists, Barkley quipped, “Let me say this, we’ve got a crack staff if they found five passes.”

But it wasn’t just Barkley who was thoroughly unimpressed with the Lopes.

Co-host Clark Kellogg admitted to being “worn out” and “befuddled” following their game.

“I had never seen them play like that. They played great all year,” he noted.

Following the game, Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew admitted it wasn’t their best performance, but nevertheless commended his team on their season.

“Hate losing, especially a game that if we would have made some shots, made some free throws, rebounded a little better, we easily could have turned the outcome,” he admitted.

“But not going to take away anything from these guys, what they achieved all year and the fight that they had tonight in this game.”

5

‘I had never seen them play like that. They played great all year,’ Clark Kellogg addedCredit: Barstool Sports
As for their season as a whole, a “really thankful” Drew remained upbeat, saying he was thanking all those involved.

“It’s been a blessing all year,” he said.

“We’ve beat two ranked teams for the first time in school history, went undefeated at home, 30 wins, second round in the NCAA tournament.

“So much to be proud of for these guys. You know what I’m really proud of is, I think tonight we got to experience and see our team, couldn’t make a shot, didn’t rebound great, but the guys never quit.

“They battled and they fought and they found ways to stay in the game and manufacture points. ”

Grand Canyon’s season may have come to an end, but Alabama now marches on to the Sweet 16.

They face the daunting prospect of taking on No. 1 North Carolina on Thursday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

5

‘Hate losing, especially a game that if we would have made some shots, made some free throws, rebounded a little better, we easily could have turned the outcome,’ Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew admittedCredit: Getty

5

Alabama will face North Carolina on Thursday in the Sweet 16