Georgia State coach Ron Hunter, R.J. Hunter and former Georgia State player Rodney Hamilton salute the crowd during a pre-game ceremony. R.J. Hunter and Hamilton were tied with 1,515 points as the school’s all-time leading scorers. (Jason Getz, Georgia State)
Georgia State and Georgia Southern will tangle in a pivotal men’s basketball game on Thursday at Hanner Fieldhouse in Statesboro.
The Eagles lead the Panthers by one-half game in the race for the top two seeds in the Sun Belt Conference tournament in New Orleans. Georgia State will have eight conference games remaining after Thursday; Georgia Southern will have nine.
The game will feature four of the conference’s five best players, according to Panthers coach Ron Hunter.
Each coach gave a scouting report on his two best players, and two of the best players on the other team.
Here’s Ron Hunter’s scouting report:
Ryan Harrow
Harrow is a 6-foot-2 senior who is averaging 20.6 points, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
“Harrow is one of top 10 point guards in the country. If you take all the other stuff, his numbers are unbelievable. Compared to last year he’s a better 3-point shooter, better on defense, better assist-to-steals ratio. Field-goal percentage is better.
“I don’t know if there’s another guy on the country that you want on the ball.”
–
R.J. Hunter
Hunter is a 6-foot-5 junior who is averaging 20 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He is hitting 40 percent of his shots, including 30.8 percent of his 3-pointers. He is also hitting 84.6 percent of his free throws.
“Second-best player in his household. I’m more proud of R.J. this year. He’s shown this year that he can be a complete basketball player without the 3-pointer. His assists numbers are better than last year. His already shot more free throws than last year. He has more assists.
“He’s making other guys better.”
–
Jelani Hewitt
Hewitt is a 6-foot-2 redshirt senior who is averaging 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He is hitting 39.1 percent of his shots, including 38.9 percent of his 3-pointers.
“Hewitt is a flat-out scorer. He can really score. Shoots the 3 really well. I love his toughness. I love tough guard and he’s as tough as they come.”
–
Trent Wiedeman
Wiedeman is 6-foot-8 redshirt senior who is averaging 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and one block per game. He is hitting 51.1 percent of his shots.
“Wiedeman has been in two different conference and done well in both. Unbelievable basketball IQ. Great hands. Great feet. Comes into the program and made guys better.
“That’s what they do, make the other guys better.
“They are first-team all-conference players, both of them.”
