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2015 NCAA Tournament: No Sleeping On The Georgia State Panthers

By Alex Piasecki

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I hope you still have your red pen. The first day of the tournament claimed its second 3-seeded victim as the Georgia State Panthers outhustled and outlasted the Baylor Bears by a final of 57-56. Despite Georgia State getting bounced around the boards by the bigger Baylor forwards, the Panthers looked the more tournament-ready team, turning the ball over only six times while pressuring the Bears into 21 turnovers. A go-ahead three-pointer late in the game by junior guard R.J. Hunter put Georgia State up one and sealed Baylor’s fate.

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For many, this upset of a Baylor team that finished #16 in national polls and was lauded all season for its rebounding and defense, is shocking. Georgia State didn’t look like a legitimate threat, especially after scoring just 38 points in their emotional Sun Belt conference championship win to clinch their NCAA Tournament berth. But what Georgia State lacks in interior size and rebounding ability, they make up for with their elite guard play and passion.

The Georgia State Panthers don’t just have guards that are good by mid-major standards–the trio of R.J. Hunter (son of head coach Ron Hunter), Kentucky transfer Ryan Harrow, and journeyman Kevin Ware (who you may remember from his horrific injury) are legitimate top college guards that all play with chip on their shoulder.

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    • All season long, Georgia State has used their guard play to grind out victories. The Panthers boast some of the best shooting in the nation, having shot 48.0% from the field, good for 17th in the nation. But it was Georgia State’s ability to create turnovers (over nine steals/game, 6th in nation) that ultimately proved to be the differentiating factor for Georgia State today.

    Georgia State also feeds off of the energy of coach Ron Hunter, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in celebration of their conference championship. But Hunter would not be denied, as he used a rolling stool to man the sideline in the Baylor game. If the Georgia State Panthers can continue their stellar shooting, stealing and passionate play, there’s no reason to be surprised when the Panthers slip on their Cinderella shoes in the third round.

    Next: R.J. Hunter Hits Game-Winner For Georgia State

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