ATLANTA-- Georgia State tips off the regular season at home against Bowling Green for the fourth season of the SBC-MAC Challenge on Monday, Nov. 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Georgia State welcomed head coach Jon Cremins as the 17th head coach of the Panthers' men's basketball program. With Cremins came an entirely new staff, including six new assistant coaches. 

Fourth-year senior Jacob Meyer earned 2026-27 Preseason All-Sun Belt honors following his transfer from UAB after a standout season with the Blazers. He appeared in 28 games, starting 25 of them. He finished the 2025-26 season averaging 12.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg.

The Panthers return one player from the previous season, Chris Jones, and welcome 14 newcomers (11 transfers, 3 freshmen) to the squad.

The Panthers started the season with an exhibition game at Georgia before hosting in-state foe West Georgia for a closed scrimmage.

ABOUT THE SUN BELT-MAC CHALLENGE:

A scheduling alliance in men's and women's basketball, the MAC-SBC Challenge tips off its fourth season with first-round matchups on Monday, November 2. Twelve Sun Belt Conference (SBC) men's basketball programs will host Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams, as the 12 MAC women's basketball teams take their home courts against as many Sun Belt opponents. 

Georgia State dropped both games in the SBC-MAC challenge last season, bringing its record to 4-2 in the challenge all time.

Sun Belt men's basketball reigns unbeaten through three years of the Challenge, capturing titles in 2023-24 and 2025-26, respectively, including a tie in 2024-25.

The MAC-SBC Challenge began during the 2023-24 season at the recommendation of the Sun Belt's strategic planning committees for men's and women's basketball. Scheduling assistance is provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests is considered in determining the matchups.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK:

In his inaugural season with the Panthers, head Coach Jon Cremins and his staff have transformed the GSU roster with the addition of 11 transfers and three freshmen. The transfer squad brings a mix of experience and youth including AJ Smith (fifth-year, Temple), Jacob Meyer (fourth-year, UAB), Eric Parnell (fifth-year, FDU), Zion Wilburn (third-year, Samford), Jacolb Fredson-Cole (third-year, McNeese State), Jonas Sirtautas (fourth-year, Loyola (Md.)), David Thomas (fourth-year, Richmond), Jaden Jackson (third-year, SDSU), Orion Wilson (second-year, Tallahassee State CC), Terrance Dixon Jr (fifth-year, Southern), and Mason Nicholson (fifth-year, Vanderbilt).

Fifth-year AJ Smith made eight appearances at Temple before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He averaged 7.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg.

Fourth-year Jacob Meyer averaged 12.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg, shooting 40.9% from the field last year at UAB.

Fifth-year Eric Parnell transferred in from Farleigh-Dickson, starting all but one game and averaged 10.7 ppg.

Third-year Zion Wilburn comes from Samford where he spent the last two seasons, totaling 41 games. Wilburn averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg last season, appearing in 21 games with two starts.

Forward transfer Jacolb Fredson-Cole finished second on McNeese State's roster with 95 defensive rebounds and had three double-digit scoring games last season.

Senior forward Jonas Sirtautas appeared in 19 games for Loyola and averaged 6.5ppg and 3.6 rpg. The 6-10 veteran led the team with 35 blocked shots last season. 

Senior guard David Thomas appeared in 31 matchups at Richmond, averaging 4.2 ppg and 1.1 rpg. 

South Dakota State Transfer Jaden Jackson started in all 32 games in his sophomore season, averaging 12.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 2.5 assists per contest. 

Jackson reached double-figures 18 times and 20+ points in six games last season. 

Sophomore transfer Orion Wilson appeared in 15 matchups at Tallahassee State last season, averaging 10.7 ppg and 1.3 rpg. Wilson reached double-figures in eight games, including a career-high 20-points in his Tallahassee debut against Southwest Mississippi C.C.. 

Graduate Transfer Terrance Dixon Jr. enters his final season after transferring from Southern University, where he saw action in 24 games and averaged 9.0 ppg and 1.8 rpg in his senior season. Dixon blocked 42 shots and grabbed 19 steals in his lone season at Southern. 

Graduate Mason Nicholson follows head coach Jon Cremins from Vanderbilt, where he spent one season. 

FRESHMEN FACES:
Coach Cremins brought in three talented freshmen to the team, hailing from around the country.

Guard Owen Augunas played at So Cal Academy and is from Los Angeles, Calif. and committed to the Panthers in July. 

From Memphis, Tenn.,  Keeper Jackson played for Tennessee Collegiate and was rated as a three-star by 247Sports. Jackson led his team to the state championship in his junior year. He averaged 15 points in 34 games in his senior year.Shiyloh Fisher attended IMG Academy. He was IMGA Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-District 5-A. 

 

UP NEXT:
The Panthers head to Charlotte on Thursday, Nov. 5 before returning home for a showdown with Andrew College on Saturday, Nov. 7.