WHAT’S NEXT: MEN’S BASKETBALL
The men’s team also earned the fifth seed in the West Region. They are set to take on fellow PacWest member Point Loma at Cal State San Bernardino.
The Sea Lions have the reigning PacWest player of the year, Kaden Anderson, and a team full of outside shooters. PLNU fell to ArtU in the PacWest Tournament but controlled the game until Anderson fouled out.
Anderson is capable of hitting the outside shot and scoring in the low post. His patent fadeaway poses problems for oppings teams. His length makes the shot unblockable for guards, while his handle makes him unguardable for traditional big men. He is a walking mismatch
#PacWestTV | The Commish and Wayne Coito bring highlights of @ARTU_Knights victory over @PLNUSeaLions to advance to the Women's Championship game. pic.twitter.com/StYiCpVIBF
— PacWest Conference (@ThePacWest) March 5, 2022
APU’s West does have the length and potential mobility to give Anderson problems late in the game. Out of PLNU’s starting five, Myles Franklin has been in a shooting slump since mid-February. The Cougars can double off of Franklin and force him to either become the Sea Lion’s set shooter or rotate the ball– going away from Anderson.
The Cougars will have to capitalize on offensive opportunities. Against ArtU, they had numerous chances to tie or take the lead late in the game but missed open shots. In March, chippies matter. The margin for error is slim and going outside of that margin ends seasons.