The Georgia State basketball team remains a work in progress as it heads into the new year and a full-time dip into Sun Belt Conference play.
The Panthers have a 4-9 record and have lost six consecutive games as they head into Thursday’s game against South Alabama at the GSU Convocation Center. The team continues to look for its identity as the new year begins.
“We’re going to be a team that we have to do whatever it calls for in that moment to come out with a win,” coach Jonas Hayes said.
The Panthers began the season as a team that was assembled to have a stronger inside presence. Last season’s team was too small to compete with the larger teams in the league and suffered as a result. This season the team has more size, but hasn’t been able to consistently capitalize on it.
Cesare Edwards, a 6-foot-10 transfer from Missouri State, and Nate McMullen, a 6-8 transfer from North Carolina-Asheville, have done a nice job on the interior. And while McMullen has turned into an elite rebounder, one of the best in the Sun Belt, neither has been consistent on the offensive end of the floor.
Zarique Nutter, a 6-7 transfer from Northern Illinois, has shown the ability to drive to the basket, but is inconsistent on the perimeter.
Toneari Lane, the team’s lone returning starter, has evolved into a leader, but is enduring a difficult shooting slump. After leading the Sun Belt in 3-point percentage last season, Lane is 3-for-34 from distance over the past four games.
Malachi Brown, a Buford product who transferred in from Seton Hall, is the primary option at point guard. He’s smart with the ball in most situations and an able shooter from the perimeter.
The bench isn’t very deep. Jelani Hamilton, a Wheeler product who transferred from Iowa State, is starting to emerge. He has shown himself capable from the outside and does a lot of things well. Brawny freshman Clash Peters, a 6-8 forward, plays hard and sacrifices his body, but his offense hasn’t caught up. Backup point guard Darnell Evans, a transfer from Caldwell, brings energy, but hasn’t shown the spark on offense.
Right now the Panthers, who began the season with 11 new faces, are searching for answers still.
“I’m just trying lineups that can give us the best opportunity,” Hayes said.
Georgia State lost its conference opener at Troy on Dec. 21. The Panthers have no more nonconference games remaining, and the schedule is favorable, with the next four games at home — South Alabama (8-4). Louisiana (3-10), rival Georgia Southern (7-6) and Coastal Carolina (7-6).
“The only thing you can control is how you show up every day and prepare for each opportunity,” Hayes said. “At some point it’s going to click for this group and we’ll be off.”
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