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.

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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.”

Tickets, how to watch: Gannon to play in NCAA hoops final. Here’s how to watch, buy tickets

One more

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

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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.

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“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…

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Publish date : 2026-04-02 09:06:00

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