ATLANTA-- For the first time since the 2019-20 season, the Panthers host Charlotte at the Convocation Center on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Georgia State and Charlotte are meeting for the 32nd time in program history. The Panthers are 3-28 on the series after falling 57-65 to the 49ers on Nov. 25, 2023.
PANTHERS IN THE SUN BELT
> Led by Nick McMullen, who leads the conference and ranks 12th nationally in rebounds per-game, the Panthers rank third overall in the Sun Belt and 56th nationally in rebounds per game with 39.89.
> Georgia State also ranks top ten in the Sun Belt in three-point percentage (4th/ 36.4), rebound margin (3rd/ 5.2), assists (9th/ 12.4pg), scoring offense (6th/ 75.6) and free throws made per game (5th/ 14.0).
> Nick McMullen leads the Sun Belt in almost every rebounding category, leading the conference in total rebounds (93, ranks 18th nationally), total rebounds per-game (10.3, ranks 12th nationally) and defensive rebounds per-game (7.56/ 10th nationally).
KEY RETURNERS: In a rebuild off-season for the Panthers' basketball team, head coach Jonas Hayes retained five returners from the 2023-24 squad, including Toneari Lane, Malik Ferguson, DK Dut, Brevyn Coleman and Aaron Oh
> The Panthers key returner Toneari Lane is the Panthers' second-leading scorer with 14.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 10 assists.
> The Veteran Guard leads the Sun Belt in three pointers per-game with 3.11, and is third in the nation for points per-game. He leads the Sun Belt and is 53rd in the nation for minutes per game, averaging 34:41.
> The guard also ranks top five in the Sun Belt for total 3-pointers made (2nd/ 28, ranked 55th nationally) and three-point percentage (5th/ 37.3).
> Lane matched his career-high seven rebounds in the Panthers' contest against Kennesaw (Dec. 6), which he previously set against Southern Miss in 2022.
VETERAN TRANSFER SQUAD: Head coach Jonas Hayes and his staff have rebuilt the GSU roster with addition of seven transfers and four freshmen.
> The transfer squad brings experienced veteran players including Justin Archer (graduate, Radford), Cesare Edwards (senior, Missouri State), Zarique Nutter (senior, Northern Illinois), Darnell Evans (senior, Caldwell) and Nick McMullen (senior, UNC-Asheville).
> Northern Illinois transfer Zarique Nutter is the Panthers' leading scorer with 17.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 24 assists,.
> Nutter leads the conference and is top 50 in the nation for free throws with 47. He is also third in the conference for total points with 142, and second for points per-game with 17.8.
> Senior Cesare Edwards is third on the Panthers' leaderboard with 12.39ppg, and is second in rebounding with 7.4 rpg. He totals 10 assists and five steals on the season.
> Edwards ranks second in the conference after tallying two double-doubles so far. He scored his double-doubles in the Panthers' wins against Ball State (Nov. 4) and Tulsa (Nov. 27).
> The forward ranks top ten in the Sun Belt in rebounding (4th/7.4 rpg), blocks (7th/ 1.00 pg) and field goal percentage (5th/ 48.0).
> Senior Nick McMullen leads the Panthers defensively, totaling 93 rebounds so far this season. His 10.3 rebounds per game leads the Sun Belt and ranks 12th nationally.
> McMullen averages 9.7 ppg.
> McMullen leads the conference and ranks 19th nationally in double-doubles, totaling four. He grabbed his first in the Panthers' season-opner against Ball State (Nov. 4). He recorded his second against North Carolina Central (Nov. 22). His third came in the Panthers' win against Tulsa (Nov. 27). His third happened in the Panthers Contest agaisnt Kennesaw State (Dec. 6), when the forward put up 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Georgia State travels to Auburn on Dec. 17 before starting conference play at Troy on Dec. 21.
