Excitement Builds in Atlanta for Georgia State Panthers’ Basketball Season

Excitement Builds in Atlanta for Georgia State Panthers’ Basketball Season

Atlanta is buzzing with anticipation as the Georgia State Panthers gear up for their 2024-15 basketball season. Following a competitive year in the Sun Belt Conference where the team concluded with a three-way tie for seventh place, the Panthers are ready to hit the hardwood. The season kicks off with a thrilling matchup against Ball State for their annual Sun Belt-MAC Challenge on Monday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the iconic Convocation Center.

A New Face-Off

This meeting will be a first for both teams, as they have never played against each other in program history. As each team strives to set the tone for the new season, all eyes will be on how the Panthers adapt and perform against this fresh opponent.

Key Players Returning

This off-season has brought some significant changes for the Panthers as they rebuild their squad, but there’s good news for fans: head coach Jonas Hayes has retained five key returners from last year’s team. Among them is Toneari Lane, who was the second-leading scorer last season, averaging an impressive 13.1 points per game. Lane not only excelled in scoring but also led the Sun Belt in 3-point percentage at .331 and 3-pointers per game with 2.7 made shots. His 82 three-pointers made last season secured him a spot in Georgia State’s history books, ranking eighth for the most in a single season.

Also coming back is sophomore Malik Ferguson, who had a valuable experience, starting in eight games last season and contributing an average of 4.4 points per game.

Welcome to the Newcomers

The Panthers have made headlines by introducing seven transfers and four freshmen to the roster, bringing a fresh wave of talent and experience. Highlighting the talented transfer group is Justin Archer, a graduate transfer from Radford, where he averaged 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds. With a career shooting percentage of 66.9%, Archer brings a strong presence under the basket.

Another standout is senior Cesare Edwards, who previously played for Missouri State and has a history with Coach Hayes from his time at Xavier. He made a solid impact there, averaging 7.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in his previous season.

Also joining the Panthers is Zarique Nutter, a senior transfer from Northern Illinois, where he was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in the last two seasons. Adding to the firepower, Darnell Evans, known for his scoring ability from Caldwell University, averaged an astonishing 21 points alongside 4.9 rebounds in his last two seasons, making him a critical addition to the roster.

Completing the veteran lineup is senior Nick McMullen, who joins the Panthers after being part of a successful UNC-Asheville squad that made an NCAA appearance last year. McMullen’s 9.0 points and 4.1 rebounds average will surely be valuable for the Panthers as they look to contend in the upcoming season.

Georgia State’s Legacy

Georgia State has made a name for itself within the realm of college basketball. Since the 2011-12 season, it has been the winningest Division I college basketball team in Georgia, earning a remarkable 248 victories. That record far surpasses its closest competitors, such as Mercer and Georgia Southern. The Panthers also boast four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last decade; a remarkable feat considering other Division I programs in the state have combined for only four appearances in that time.

Dominating the Sun Belt

Since their return to the Sun Belt Conference in 2013-14, Georgia State has emerged as the league’s premier team, winning four tournament titles and consistently finishing near the top of the standings. The Panthers have secured first or second place in the league six times in the last 11 years and captured regular-season titles in multiple seasons.

As the season opener approaches, Georgia State fans are eager to witness how their beloved Panthers will navigate through this new season filled with potential and excitement. Mark your calendars for November 4, as the journey begins!