Panthers seek more tourney success

Georgia State, which reached the Sun Belt Tournament championship game in two of the past three years, is are prepared to make it three out of the past four.

The No. 2-seeded Panthers’ first matchup in the tournament, which began Wednesday in New Orleans, will come against No. 7 Louisiana-Lafayette at 6 tonight.

The Panthers were 2-0 against the Ragin’ Cajuns during the regular season.

The Panthers didn’t learn who they’d play until late Wednesday night. However, the identity of the opponent didsn’t make much of a difference in Georgia State’s preparations.

“We work on our stuff even during the regular season. It’s more about what we do,” coach Ron Hunter said. “If we do our stuff defensively and our matchups and our slides, then there’s only so much you are going to do against our defense. It’s mostly getting our timing back and those things.”

The Panthers are a young team without much Sun Belt Tournament experience after GSU was knocked out in the first round last season.

But Hunter thinks the few players who do have experience will provide leadership tonight.

“Isaiah Dennis and Jordan Session have won games in the NCAA Tournament,” Hunter said. “They can talk to them about what it’s like. They’ve been in that championship game before.

“I think having the experienced guys can help them and calm them down a bit.”