Hunter can hold wins mark at two schools

Georgia State men’s basketball coach Ron Hunter has an opportunity to achieve a rare feat if his team defeats Mississippi State today in Starkville.

With a victory, Hunter can become the all-time winningest coach at two schools. He holds the mark at IUPUI with 274 wins and can hit win No. 108 at Georgia State, which would move him past Bob Reinhart, who coached in Atlanta from 1985-1994.

“It means a lot because of the players and staff I’ve been around,” Hunter said. “It means more because it’s the second school I’d have a chance to do that at. It is a big goal for me. I’m proud of that.”

This will be the Panthers’ (4-2) third chance this season to defeat a team from a major conference. Georgia State’s two losses this season came at Auburn, 83-65, and at Purdue, 64-56.

Both losses were marked by a huge difference in fouls called against the Panthers: 31 to Auburn’s 23, and 31 to Purdue’s 16, which lead to another gap in free throws. Georgia State hit 16 of 24 while Auburn hit 26 of 39, and the Panthers hit 7 of 11 while Purdue hit 25 of 37.

“We just can’t foul,” Hunter said. “Our defense will always be there. One of the hardest things to do is give those extra points. We can’t defend free throws.

“Both game were won on the line. It always come down to free throws. We can’t put them at the free-throw line.”

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Georgia State coach Ron Hunter, embracing son R.J. in 2015, can become the school’s all-time winningest coach with a victory today.