Georgia State Men's Basketball vs. Clark Atlanta
Georgia State Sports Arena
Radio: WRAS 88.5
Off the Bounce: We get a peek at the men's basketball team tonight at home for their only exhibition vs. Clark Atlanta. 8 newcomers, 1 returning starter. Expectations are low for Coach Rod Barnes and this team. I just have a funny feeling about this team and they way the Bahamas trip helped them. I get the sense that they actually like each other and that's a huge thing in basketball. During the Transfer Experiment/Failure of the last two seasons (team went 24-40 overall and finished 8th and 9th, respectively, in the CAA standings) it seems like guys didn't know their roles and seemed a little out of place. I'm more confident that this team will suprise some people. How big of a suprise is up to the coaching staff and the development of our newcomers.
About Clark Atlanta: This is a very good Division II team that went 24-7 last season. Just how good? They nearly pulled off a stunner at Georgia Tech last week (and got the Fire Paul Hewitt groupies going again) and bowed out in OT by 3 points. Was Tech ready for a potent two guard attack that the Panthers of CAU brought? Probably not. Coaches tend to view exhibitions as roll the ball out there and let's beat the other team by 30+. We don't have the same luxury. Clark begins and ends with their dynamic guards: 6'4, 195lbs Najee Lane and 6'4, 190lbs David Brown (who happens to be the twin brother of GSU walk on Daniel Brown and younger brother of former GSU star Marcus Brown). They combined for 44 points and hit 6 threes between them.
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG - Marques Johnson
SG - James Fields
SF - Jihad Ali
PF - Brandon McGee
C - Eric Buckner
Prediction: I fully expect Barnes to press this team and run a multiple defensive set to get the ball out of Brown's hands (he's actually the better outside shooter). Expect Brown to know what Boom (James Fields) had for breakfast, lunch and dinner because he will get a face full. Clark is not as deep as Georgia State and I expect Buckner and Vincent off the bench to pound the middle. I expect a 70-54 win by the Panthers of Georgia State.
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