Curtis Washington is one of the reasons behind Georgia State’s good defense.
The Panthers have held each of their past six opponents to less than 30 percent shooting. No team has done that dating back to 1996-97. Only Kentucky has done it five consecutive games, and that it occurred earlier this year. No other team has even done it four times since STATS, Inc.’s database began keeping those records.
I thought it might be interesting to take a by-the-numbers look at the defense Georgia State is playing during this streak, compared to its season averages:
Streak Season
Opp. points per game 48.33 62.1
Scoring margin 20.33 10.7
Opp. FG percentage 27.0 38.0
Opp. 3-point FG percentage 23.0 32.0
Opp. 3-pointers per game 4.83 7.2
Opp. FT made per game 16.5 15.0
Rebounding margin 3.5 -0.8
Turnover margin 4.33 4.9
Blocks per game by GSU 5.0 4.3
A few things jump out.
The opponents’ points per game is almost 14 points less during the streak, resulting in a scoring margin increase of almost 10 points per game.
Why?
Because the opponents’ FG percentage is 11 points less, and their 3-point FG percentage is nine points less.
Combined with Georgia State’s improved rebounding margin, opponents aren’t getting a lot of second chances after they miss.
Were the teams that Georgia State beat during the streak good shooters?
Let’s take a look at a few key stats this season for each of the vanquished teams:
Opponent Points per game FG percentage
Arkansas State 63.8 40.8
Georgia Southern 70.6 42.8
South Alabama 68.8 41.9
Texas State 61.6 40.3
Appalachian State 63.1 39.0
It must be said this isn’t exactly like facing Loyola Marymount during its heyday.
The Mountaineers are the worst shooting team in the league. Texas State is 10th out of 11. The Red Wolves are eighth. The Jags are seventh.
The Red Wolves, Mountaineers and Bobcats are the three worst scoring teams in the league.
The only team that can score and shoot, Georgia Southern, handed Georgia State its sole loss during the six-game streak.
Still, Georgia State’s defense did what it was supposed to do against all six, so credit is deserved.
Now, can Georgia State keep it going?
Upcoming opponents Points per game FG percentage
UALR 68.8 41.6
Troy 66.5 42.3
ULM 65.8 43.9
Georgia Southern 70.6 42.8
Streaking the streak to seven will likely be tough. Of course, a defense that can hold someone to 30 percent is absurdly low number.
Kentucky, considered one of the defensive teams in college basketball history, is holding opponents to 34.2 percent this season.
Holding opponents to 35 percent might do the trick if you are a Georgia State fan.
