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With a blend of old and new the Gannon men’s basketball team looks to maintain its spot among the elite in the Atlantic Region and Division II. The Golden Knights are ready to chase another PSAC crown and return to the national stage.

First-year head coach Easton Bazzoli guided the Golden Knights to a second straight PSAC crown and within one game a of a return to the Elite Eight.

Bazzoli led a Gannon squad that had to replace all five starters to a 27-7 record and 17-3 in PSAC West play, advancing to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship before falling to perennial power West Liberty 101-91.

For the second straight year, Gannon lost key pieces to the transfer portal, but unlike a year ago, Bazzoli welcomes back six players, along with a talented group of eight newcomers. 

 

A Year Ago

2024-25 Record: 27-7 overall, 17-3 PSAC West

Result: PSAC Champions (back-to-back); lost to West Liberty in NCAA Atlantic Regional final

National Ranking: Ranked 7th nationally in scoring offense at 90.8 points per game

In 2023-24, Gannon led Division II in scoring at just over 100 ppg. The  2024-25 season began in a similar fashion, jumping out to a 16-3 start while scoring 100-or-more points in six games. But a three-game losing streak left the Golden Knights suddenly looking vulnerable.

Bazzoli’s answer – turn up the defense. Known for a press, full-court style of defense, the Golden Knights continued to play in that manner, but Bazzoli unveiled a sticky half-court defense to end the slump. The result was an 11-game winning streak with just two teams managing more than 75 points.

Gannon still showcased one of the most dynamic offenses in Division II, ranking seventh in the country at 90.8 ppg. But after allowing 83.0 ppg. in 2023-24 that number dropped to 78.0 points while forcing over 20 turnovers per game.

  

The program continues to build on the foundation set during its remarkable 2023-24 season when Gannon was recognized as the Most Improved Team in NCAA history, a turnaround that reignited the tradition of Golden Knight basketball.

Individual Leaders & Honors:

• Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) – 17.4 PPG, 92 3FG, .862 FT%, NABC All-Atlantic District First Team, First Team All-PSAC West

• Tasman Goodrick (Sydney, Australia/St. Joseph’s College) – 15.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, .555 FG%, NABC All-Atlantic District Second Team, D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team, First Team All-PSAC West

• Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) – 14.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, .410 3PT%, .830 FT%, All-PSAC West Second Team, PSAC Tournament MVP

Prosser enters his sophomore season as one of Division II’s most exciting young guards, recently named to the Top 10 Division II Guards to Watch in 2025-26.

 

This Season

The Golden Knights return a tested core that includes Prosser, Lucas Sekasi (Washington, DC/Jackson-Reed), Victor Desmond (Onalaska, Wisc./Onalaska), Layne Sarver (New Madison, Ohio/Tri-Village), Rocco Morabito (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), and Mason Kemp (Shawnee, Kan./Mill Valley), complemented by eight newcomers — a blend of three transfers and five freshmen that brings athleticism, depth, and versatility.

Departed Student-Athletes: Seven, including leading scorer Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) and standout forward Tasman Goodrick (Sydney, Australia/St. Joseph’s College).

Newcomers:


Transfers: Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore), Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore), Precious Idiaru (Speyer, Germany/LA Premier Prep)
Freshmen: Jack Burchard (Meadville, Pa./Meadville Area), Lathan Coleman (Lauderhill, Fla./South Plantation), Jaden Calloway (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), Carter Wamsley (York, Pa./Eastern York), Julian Rivera (Gainesville, Va./Highland)

While needing to replace Shelton and Goodrick, among others, Bazzoli struck gold with the addition of twin brothers Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) and Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore). Natives of Australia, both are 6-foot-4 juniors who have played two years at the Division II level.

Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) started 56 games the last two seasons at St. Cloud State while Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) transferred from West Texas A&M, where he played in 67 games. 

Bazzoli enters his second season as head coach and third overall at Gannon after serving as an assistant during the 2023-24 transformation. He is the 21st head coach in program history.

 

Key Dates

Season Opener: Nov. 7 – vs Bowie State (Bowie State Tip-Off Classic)

PSAC Opener: Dec. 6 – at Shepherd (3 p.m.)

Gary Miller Classic: Nov. 29–30 – returns for its 40th edition this winter at the Highmark Events Center. A post-Thanksgiving snowstorm forced the 2024 Gary Miller Classic to be canceled. 

What to Expect

1. Experience and Leadership

“Yeah, 100%. Four sophomores, two seniors. It feels like we have so much experience,” Bazzoli said. “We’ve got guys that understand what we’re about, what we’re trying to do, what we’re trying to accomplish. Some of those guys are really good leaders, and that puts us in a really good spot.”

 

2. Newcomers with Immediate Impact

“I think the good sign is we feel like we hit on everybody,” Bazzoli said. “I don’t think we have a miss. I think all of them have the potential to impact immediately. It’s going to be a big battle to see who actually gets on the floor — but I’m confident every one of them could play right away.”

3. Focus on Communication and Culture

“Last year we lacked a little bit of communication,” he reflected. “We played hard and had the talent, but there were too many days in the gym when it was too quiet. We’re trying to attack that weakness — to make it a strength. If someone’s standing on the side of practice, they should hear every voice. That’s the standard now.”

4. Navigating the PSAC Gauntlet

“I’m sure it’s going to be really good again,” Bazzoli said. “I assume, like always, three to five PSAC teams will be in the national tournament at the end of the year. The coaching in this league is really high level; you have to be ready every night.”

5. Teaching The System

“It’s about mentality,” he explained. “You can watch a film and understand our concepts, but the mentality behind it is what separates teams. The benefit of returners is that they already know that standard. Every program functions differently, and for us it’s about getting that message across from Day 1.”

 

The Golden Knights will make their home debut Nov. 29–30 hosting the 40th Annual Gary Miller Classic. Gannon opens against Virginia State, a familiar opponent after defeating the Trojans twice last season. T

hat included an 89–65 victory in the PSAC–CIAA Crossover and a 92–66 win in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Semifinal behind Ernest Shelton’s (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) career-high 32 points. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m. inside the Highmark Events Center.