Three thoughts after Georgia State’s 78-73 victory over CAA leaders Northeastern on Wednesday.

1. The team has its legs back. I previewed Wednesday’s game by writing about the challenges that a condensed schedule can have on a jump-shooting team. Coach Ron Hunter said he thought the team was rested and ready to go. It certainly appeared so. The Panthers shot 50.9 percent, including 42.3 percent of their 3-pointers. Compare that to the 14-minute drought that led to Georgia State shooting 27.7 percent in the previous loss at Drexel. After struggling earlier in the year against a difficult schedule, the players seem to have figured out their roles. R.J. Hunter, Rashaad Richardson and Manny Atkins are floating around the perimeter stretching the defense. Devonta White is able to drive and kick, and James Vincent is pulling down rebounds or setting screens. It’s a vastly different team than last year’s, which was more physical and built more on inside-out play.
2. Hunter is special. Colleague Brian Mull (who provides excellent coverage of the CAA and UNCW) tweeted something to the effect during last week’s win over UNCW that it must be nice to rebuild around a top-150 recruit. Hunter single-handedly kept the Panthers in last night’s game, scoring 12 consecutive points in the first half to tie his career high with 27 points. He also came through with the important block with just a few seconds left to preserve the Panthers’ two-point lead. Instead of just being a lock for the CAA newcomer of the year, it may be time to consider him for CAA player of the year (TEASER: More on that next week).
3. Free throws, free throws, free throws. This team, unlike last year’s, can hit free throws. White made fans hold their breath when he missed two free throws last night that could have sealed the game, but he bounced back to hit four consecutive to secure the win. The team is hitting 72 percent of its attempts this year (fourth in the CAA) after hitting 65.6 last year. Consider how bad that loss to Drexel could have been had the Panthers not hit 25 of 29 free throws.