TOWSON, Md. - The Tigers (0-17, 0-5 CAA) travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia State (12-4, 4-1) at the GSU Sports Arena on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on WNST-AM 1570 and ESPN3. In addition, a live in-game blog will be available at approximately 1:45 p.m. on TowsonTigers.com.
The Panthers lead the series, 7-6, and won the last meeting, 63-60, at the Towson Center on Feb. 5 last year.
The Panthers are coached by former IUPUI head man Ron Hunter
(286-223), who has done a great job with four returning starters from a
team that finished 12-19 last year and was 6-12 in the CAA. The Panthers
have been down for a long time, but Hunter appears
to have them on the right track.
He has the Panthers tied with George Mason and Old Dominion for first place in the CAA at 4-1.
George State is one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning 12
of its last 13 games. The Panthers didn't start out that strong, losing their
first three games at the World Vision Classic against Washington,
Portland and Florida Atlantic. They turned it on by winning 11 straight before falling at George Mason, 61-58, on Jan. 7.
The winning streak, which started on Nov. 18 with a win over
McNeese State, also included victories over Rhode Island, Drexel and a two-point road win over VCU. On Thursday night, the Panthers defeated UNCW, 75-51, at home before 2,698 fans.
The Panthers are winning with defense as they allow just 57.9
points per game, which ranks 17th in the nation. In five CAA games, they
are allowing only 50.6 points per game while opponents are shooting just 32% from
the floor and 26% from beyond the arc. This is
also a very good shot blocking team, averaging 5.2 rejections per game.
Offensively, Georgia State averages 69.8 points per game while shooting 44%
from the floor and 31% from beyond the arc. The Panthers outrebound their
opponents by 1.2 per game and commit 11.6 turnovers per game while
forcing 16.4 giveaways per game.
The Panthers start a small but very quick lineup led by sophomore point
guard Devonta White (5-10, 158). White leads the team in scoring by averaging 13.1 points per game along with a team-high 29 steals and 54 assists (35 turnovers). He shoots
39% from the field, 31% (23-74) from beyond the arc
and 80% from the line.
At shooting guard, senior James Fields (6-4, 182) is a strong
defender and good passer. He averages 9.8 points per game while shooting 50% from
the floor. He dishes out over four assists per game while turning the ball over
just 23 times.
Senior Jihad Ali (6-5, 200) is second on the team in scoring at
12.7 points per game while shooting 42% from the field and 38% (21-55) from beyond
the arc. He also averages 5.8 rebounds per game and is second on the team with 12
blocks.
Up front, senior Josh Micheaux (6-5, 222), son of former Phi Slamma
Jamma great Larry Micheaux, is the top rebounder on the team at 6.9 boards per
game. He also averages 6.9 points per game while shooting 37% from the field. He is
also second on the team with 48 assists and shoots 74% from the line.
At center, senior Eric Buckner (6-8, 205) is a wiry defender and
rebounder who has improved his offense this season. He averages 11 points,
6.1 rebounds and
nearly 3 blocks per game. He shoots 62% from the field and 44% from the line.
The Panthers are young off the bench
as they go about nine deep. Freshman Tony Kimbro Jr. (6-5, 185) is the
top reserve, averaging 5.1 points per game while shooting 57% from the field and
40% (6-15) from the three-point line, but
just 42% (10-24) from the line.
Sophomore Rashard Richardson (6-4, 190) averages 4.9 points per game and shoots
45% from the field and 32% (18-56) from beyond the arc in 12 minutes per game.
Big junior James Vincent (6-10, 250) provides size off the bench
with 3.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Senior Brandon McGee (6-6, 228) adds 4.3 points and
2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 30% from the field.
