SBC Tournament Semifinals: #1 Georgia State vs. #4 Arkansas State
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Three days since the beginning of the tournament…we are down to four teams and two great games today! The first match up on our hands looks like it could be a good match up. You ask why I say could? Well GSU swept the season series 2-0…and A-State played a long and exhausting game last night…thus leaving me to question how well the Red Wolves will be able to keep up.
Arkansas State comes into this one as the 4 seed and a conference record of 10-8. They are a team that likes to score the ball…as they average 77 PPG in contests this season which is good enough for 41st in the nation. The last match up between these two squads the Red Wolves were able to force things into OT…but fell short by just 3 points.
If A-State wants to pull off the upset today…which is very popular trend during this Championship week…they will have to have their offensive players to overcome fatigue from last night and show up for a solid 40 minutes today. These players include Melvin Johnson III (15.2 PPG; 4.4 RPG), Kirk Van Slyke (14.9 PPG; 5.8 RPG), and Kendrick Washington(10 PPG; 6.3 RPG). I also could look for Ed Townsel to have a good outing today as he has scored double digit figures in each of his last 3 outings…including the 32 point performance last night.
As for Georgia State…they are well rested and well primed to have a huge outing today. They come into today’s match up with the number 1 seed and a conference record of 17-1. They have been ruthless with their guard play all season…and I doubt they will stop that trend today.
The Panthers players I look to have solid games are the normal starting 5. Those guys being R.J Hunter (18.5 PPG; 4.6 RPG), Ryan Harrow (17.2 PPG; 4.4 APG), Manny Atkins (14.6 PPG; 6.1 RPG), Devonta White (11.8 PPG; 4.4 APG), and Curtis Washington (7.6 PPG; 5.7 RPG; 2.4 BPG). All these guys need to do is play their normal game and I think they pull out the win this afternoon.
Don’t miss out on any of the SBC action today, this game tips at 2! Then right after is ULL taking on WKU…I will have your Men’s Championship coverage so make sure to stop back by to get everything you need to know with the SBC!