ATLANTA-- Georgia State returns to conference play hosting South Alabama on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET at the GSU Convocation Center.
Georgia State and South Alabama are meeting for the 26th time. The Panthers are 19-6 in the series after defeating the Jags 90-76 on the road on Jan. 6, 2024.
TV: ESPN+
Radio: WRAS-FM (88.5), GSU athletics app
PANTHERS IN THE SUN BELT
> Led by Nick McMullen, who leads the conference and ranks 11th nationally in rebounds per-game, the Panthers rank fourth overall in the Sun Belt in rebounds per game with 38.7.
> Nick McMullen leads the Sun Belt in almost every rebounding category, leading the conference in total rebounds (134, ranks 10th nationally) and rebounds per-game (10.3, ranks 11th nationally). He is second in the conference and 20th nationally for defensive rebounds per-game, averaging 6.92. He is also second in the conference for offensive rebounds with 3.38.
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 12.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 17 assists.
> The Veteran Guard is fourth in the Sun Belt in three pointers per-game with 2.58.
> The guard also ranks top 10 in the Sun Belt for total 3-pointers made (7th/ 31) and three-pointers per game (7th/ 2.38).
VETERAN TRANSFER SQUAD: Head coach Jonas Hayes and his staff have rebuilt the GSU roster with addition of seven transfers and four freshmen.
> Northern Illinois transfer Zarique Nutter is the Panthers' leading scorer with 15.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 30 assists,.
> Nutter is third in the conference for free throws with 56. He is also fifth in the conference for total points with 173, and fourth in the conference for points per-game with 15.6.
> Senior Cesare Edwards is third on the Panthers' leaderboard with 12.5 ppg, and is second in rebounding with 6.4 rpg. He totals 13 assists and nine steals on the season.
> Edwards ranks third in the conference after tallying three double-doubles so far. He scored his double-doubles in the Panthers' wins against Ball State (Nov. 4) and Tulsa (Nov. 27). His most recent double-double came in the Panthers' contest against Kennesaw State (Dec. 6).
> The forward ranks top ten in the Sun Belt in rebounding (8th/6.8 rpg)and blocks (9th/ 0.92 pg).
> Senior Nick McMullen leads the Panthers defensively, totaling 134 rebounds so far this season. His 10.3 rebounds per game leads the Sun Belt and ranks 11th nationally.
> McMullen averages 9.5 ppg.
> McMullen leads the conference and ranks 21st nationally in double-doubles, totaling five. He grabbed his first in the Panthers' season-opener 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 against Kennesaw State (Dec. 6), when the forward put up 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Georgia State hosts a three-game conference stretch, including games against Louisiana (Jan. 4), Georgia Southern (Jan. 8) and Coastal Carolina (Jan. 11).
