NCAA Basketball: Mike Daum and Georgia State top mid-major performers of the week

By Logan Butts | Dec 11, 2018

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 16: A.J. Harris #12 of the New Mexico State Aggies carries the ball upcourt as they take on the Clemson Tigers in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 16, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Head coach Ron Hunter of the Georgia State Panthers talks with D’Marcus Simonds /

Best Performance, Team – Georgia State Panthers

Even if Alabama is not quite as talented as they were last year, the Georgia State Panthers still earned a huge win by taking down the Crimson Tide last Tuesday.

Georgia State capped a brilliant 22-point second-half comeback against Alabama with a buzzer-beating three-pointer from senior Malik Benlevi to beat the Crimson Tide 63-60 in Tuscaloosa.

Benlevi scored 16 in the win, with a 3-5 mark from downtown that included the dramatic game-winner, and three other Panthers scored in double figures.

D’Marcus Simonds, probably the best player in the Sun Belt this year, notched 23 points, five rebounds, two assist, and a block.

Meanwhile, the Tide shot 18-31 from the free throw line in what was their second straight loss to a non-Power Five school.

The Panthers also blew out Georgia earlier this season, and their only losses are to Montana, Creighton, and Liberty, so they could be a strong contender for the Sun Belt title.

Honorable mention goes to Western Kentucky’s 78-77 win at Arkansas, led by 21 points and nine rebounds from Charles Bassey.

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