The Georgia State men’s basketball team couldn’t pass its second SEC test in a week.
Alabama blew by the Panthers 75-58 on Tuesday in the second round of the NIT Season Tip-Off. The loss came a week after Vanderbilt defeated the Panthers in Nashville, Tenn.
“We’re probably in last place in the SEC, but fortunately we play in the Sun Belt,” coach Ron Hunter said.
The loss means no NIT semifinals, no Madison Square Garden, no Thanksgiving in New York and no national exposure for Georgia State (2-2). Instead, the Panthers will play consolation games Nov. 25 and 26 at a site to be determined.
Unlike the 86-80 loss to Vandy, in which the Panthers and Commodores were tied with a few minutes left, Alabama was in control throughout. The Crimson Tide used a patient offense and disciplined defense that eliminated R.J. Hunter and Ryan Harrow. The Panthers’ leading scorers had combined for an average of 41.7 points per game. They combined to score 10 on Tuesday.
Hunter credited Alabama’s physical style of play with disrupting the duo, who combined to miss 16 of their 20 field-goal attempts. Point guard Devonta White also scored just seven points, seven below his season average.
Hunter said when his guards don’t score, it’s hard for his team to win.
“I thought our guys got a little frustrated by it (the physicalness),” Hunter said.
Early in the first half, Alabama passed the ball around the 3-point line, seldom needing to dribble as Georgia State’s defenders frantically chased the action from their spots in the zone defense. They often overpursued and eventually the Tide would find an open man around the 3-point line.
Adding to the issues on defense, because both picked up two fouls early, neither center Curtis Washington nor backup T.J. Shipes could aggressively challenge when the ball came inside. Alabama opened a 31-19 lead with 5:20 remaining.
Georgia State’s offense did nothing to help its defense. The Panthers couldn’t get into a rhythm, nor could they find an open shooter because neither White nor Harrow could cleanly get into the free-throw lane to throw the ball out to shooters Hunter or Rashaad Richardson. The Panthers went without a field goal for 4:28 in the first half as the Tide opened the 12-point lead.
“We knew we were going to have to do a good job containing him (Harrow) off the dribble,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said. “I thought our guys did a good job of locking in and limiting his possibilities.”
But Georgia State wouldn’t let Alabama run away. Richardson scored six of the Panthers’ next nine points to cut Alabama’s lead to 38-30 at halftime.
Alabama was whistled for five fouls in the opening 1:43 of the second half, opening the door for the Panthers to use free throws to tighten the game.
But Georgia State fell too far behind too quickly to take advantage of the possibility.
Alabama went on a 9-0 run after the binge of fouls to take a 49-32 lead less than five minutes into the second half.
With Washington and Shipes in foul trouble, Alabama attacked inside in the second half, and the Panthers did little to stop them.
While Hunter said his team didn’t play well and didn’t handle the adversity that comes with playing a physical team, he said he’s not going to judge his team by games against SEC teams in November. Instead, he wants to see his team get better through March.
“I’ve got a good basketball team,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anybody on our schedule that will beat either of these teams (Alabama and Vanderbilt).”
About the Author
