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JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Following a commanding victory over North Carolina Central with a score of 93-79 on Friday evening, the Georgia State Panthers are set to continue their season at the Jacksonville Classic in Jacksonville, Florida. In an exciting slate of games, the Panthers will face Austin Peay on Tuesday, November 26 at 2:30 p.m., followed by a matchup against Tulsa on Wednesday, November 27 at the same time. Notably, these will be the first encounters between Georgia State and both Austin Peay and Tulsa in the history of the program.
The Panthers are led by standout player Nik McMullen, who not only shines in the conference but is also making waves nationally, ranking 10th in the country in rebounds per game. The team’s performance has propelled them to the 2nd position in the conference and 39th nationally with an impressive average of 42.20 rebounds per game. The team’s prowess is further demonstrated as they also place in the top ten within the Sun Belt in various statistics: maintaining a stellar assist/turnover ratio at 3rd (1.19), leading the scoring offense at 1st (80.6 points per game), and ranking 7th in assists per game (14.0). Their effectiveness in transition is highlighted by a 3rd place ranking in fast break points with an average of 13.60, paired with a 4th place position in three-point shooting percentage (35.4) and 7th in free throw percentage (68.4).
In their season opener against Ball State on November 4, three Panthers—Cesare Edwards, Zarique Nutter, and Nick McMullen—achieved double-doubles, underscoring their importance to the team’s early success as they rank second in the Sun Belt for this achievement. Individual accolades continue for Nick McMullen, who leads the Sun Belt in multiple rebounding categories, including total rebounds with 52 (49th nationally), total rebounds per game averaging 10.4 (10th nationally), and defensive rebounds per game at 8.00, which positions him 7th in national rankings.
Next up, Georgia State is scheduled to take a noteworthy trip to Lexington, Kentucky, where they will challenge the formidable Kentucky Wildcats on Friday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m.
What strategies will Georgia State utilize to handle the specific challenges presented by Austin Peay and Tulsa during the Jacksonville Classic?
**Interview with Georgia State Basketball Coach about Upcoming Jacksonville Classic**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Coach! Thanks for joining us today. Your team had a great win against North Carolina Central. What were the key takeaways from that game?
**Coach:** Thank you for having me! That victory really showcased our team’s potential. We executed our game plan well, particularly on the offensive end, and our defense made critical stops when it mattered. The chemistry among the players is improving, and it’s encouraging to see them start to gel.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, you have two tough games coming up at the Jacksonville Classic. What do you expect from the matchups against Austin Peay and Tulsa?
**Coach:** Both teams present unique challenges. Austin Peay is always competitive, and we’ll need to focus on our defensive schemes to contain their key players. Tulsa, on the other hand, has a skilled roster that can shoot the three-ball well. It’s crucial for us to tighten our perimeter defense to limit their scoring opportunities. We’ll take it one game at a time while maintaining our focus.
**Interviewer:** Given the excitement of the Jacksonville Classic, what does this event mean for your team in terms of growth and exposure?
**Coach:** This tournament is a fantastic opportunity for our players. Competing against quality opponents ahead of our conference schedule will help us gauge where we are as a team. It also gives us a chance to play in front of new fans and hopefully create some buzz about Georgia State basketball.
**Interviewer:** Last question, Coach. What’s your message to the fans as you head into these games in Jacksonville?
**Coach:** I just want to say thank you to our fans for their unwavering support. We’re excited to go out there and represent Georgia State. We hope to make them proud and bring home some victories from the Jacksonville Classic!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach, and best of luck in the upcoming games!
**Coach:** Thank you! We’ll do our best!
