What to know about Gannon, Lander ahead of NCAA D-II men’s basketball final

Looking ahead would be easy for the Gannon University men’s basketball team.

One win stands between the Golden Knights and an NCAA championship. Instead of pondering this final game, however, head coach Easton Bazzoli wants his team to look back at its prior 36.

Teamwork. Camaraderie. Growth.

Gannon, Bazzoli said, need not change anything before its April 5 date with Lander University in the Division II final. He’d rather his Golden Knights focus on what got them to Indianapolis.

“This is the result of months and months of work,” Bazzoli said before Gannon departed for Indiana. “We should be rooted in confidence based on what these guys have accomplished to reach this game.”

One more

Gannon and Lander will tip off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, April 5 at 1 p.m.

Gannon won the Atlantic regional before blowout victories in the quarter and semifinals. Its most recent win occurred March 27, a 98-80 triumph against Oklahoma Baptist.

“It’s really special to be playing in this game but, at the same time, it’s just another basketball game,” said sophomore guard Pace Prosser. “We’re going to approach it that way.”

Prosser’s 18.2 points per game lead the Knights (33-3). Junior guards Lucas and Mackenzie Morgan average 23.9 points combined while junior forward Precious Idiaru adds 11.5 points per game and sophomore guard Lucas Sekasi chips in 10.9 points.

Gannon clearly boasts talent. But, according to Bazzoli, that’s not its strongest asset.

“If you don’t have a locker room that loves each other the way these guys do, you’re going to peak far lower than what your talent suggests,” Bazzoli said. “Their peak is this weekend because of the locker room.”

Gannon’s most recent loss occurred March 8 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) final against California (Pa.). It avenged that setback a week later in the Atlantic regional semis.

Gannon scored more than 95 points per game on average and was held under 80 points just four times this season.

“We don’t need to go in and change anything we’re doing,” Bazzoli said. “We need to be the type of competitors and people we’ve been so far.”

Scouting the opponent

Lander (30-5) hails from Greenwood, South Carolina. The Bearcats downed defending national champion and No. 1 seed Nova Southeastern (31-2), 91-81, in the national semifinals.

The Southeast region champion, Lander entered the Elite Eight seeded fifth. Gannon is the third seed.

Lander defeated Daemen College, of New York, in the quarterfinals before beating Nova Southeastern. The Bearcats score 80.8 points per game on average and surrender an average of 69.7.

“(Lander) is talented, very well coached and has a level of athleticism and physicality to them,” Bazzoli said. “A bunch of their guys are playing their best basketball of the year.”

Doubling down on strengths. Remembering past success.

Could those factors key Gannon to its first NCAA hoops title?

Gannon will appear in its second national final. The Knights lost to Roberts Wesleyan, 92-74, in 1987.

“We’ve learned a lot of lessons throughout the year,” Prosser said. “Taking things we can improve upon, even in wins. Continuing to grow and win.”