Knee injury to Larry Anderson a blow to Long Beach’s NCAA chances

Long Beach State Coach Dan Monson said Monday that senior guard Larry Anderson will likely miss this week’s Big West Tournament in Anaheim because of a knee injury suffered in Saturday’s 77-74 loss at Cal State Fullerton.

Monson said Anderson has a sprain of his right medial collateral ligament.

“It’s probably doubtful he will play this week,” Monson said on a teleconference in advance of Thursday’s start of the Big West Tournament at the Honda Center.

Long Beach (22-8) won the Big West with a regular season record of 15-1.

Monson said Anderson, because of his competitive nature, might try to play at some point this week, although there seems no chance he’ll play in the opener against lowly UC Davis (5-25, 3-13).

Monson said Anderson should be ready to play next week in the NCAA Tournament, although the 49ers have to get there first. Saturday’s loss to Fullerton probably eliminated Long Beach as an at-large candidate, forcing the 49ers to win the Big West automatic bid by winning the tournament.

“Larry is going to play in the NCAA tournament, we just need to get him there,” Monson said.

Anderson is averaging 14 points and 34.7 minutes per game for the 49ers. He will likely be replaced in the starting by freshman guard Mike Caffey.