2018–19 Georgia State Panthers men's basketball team

The 2018–19 Georgia State Panthers men's basketball team represents Georgia State University during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team's head coach was Ron Hunter, who coached his eighth and final season at Georgia State. The Panthers play their home games at the GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, Georgia as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Finishing with a 13–5 conference record, GSU won its third Sun Belt regular season championship in the last six years. The Panthers defeated Texas State, and UT Arlington to become champions of the Sun Belt Tournament. As a result, they received the Sun Belt's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

2018–19 Georgia State Panthers men's basketball
Sun Belt Tournament champions
Sun Belt regular season champions
NCAA Tournament, First Round
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
2018–19 record24–10 (13–5 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Travis Williams (1st season)
  • Ray McCallum (3rd season)
  • Claude Pardue (8th season)
Home arenaGSU Sports Arena
2018–19 Sun Belt Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Georgia State135 .722  2410  .706
UT Arlington126 .667  1716  .515
Georgia Southern126 .667  2112  .636
Texas State126 .667  2410  .706
Louisiana108 .556  1913  .594
Coastal Carolina99 .500  1717  .500
Louisiana–Monroe99 .500  1916  .543
South Alabama810 .444  1717  .500
Arkansas State711 .389  1319  .406
Appalachian State612 .333  1121  .344
Little Rock513 .278  1021  .323
Troy513 .278  1218  .400
2019 Sun Belt Conference Tournament winner

Previous season

The Panthers finished the season 24–11, 12–6 in Sun Belt play to finish the regular season in second place. The Panthers defeated Troy, Georgia Southern, and UT Arlington to become champions of the Sun Belt Tournament. As a result, they received the Sun Belt's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 15 seed in the West region, they lost to Cincinnati in the First Round.

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Nile Felton0G6'3"175SophomoreAtlanta, GALeft team
Denis Alibegovic10G6'2"170FreshmanDowners Grove, ILTransferred out
Isaiah Williams11G6'2"170SeniorBuford, GAGraduated
Jordan Session23F6'8"225SeniorMcDonough, GAGraduated

Incoming transfers

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious School
Corey AllenNAG6'2"215JuniorYpsilanti, MIDetroit. Under NCAA transfer rules, Allen will have to sit out for the 2018–19 season, using a redshirt, leaving two years of eligibility remaining.
Justin RobertsNAG5'10"165SophomoreIndianapolis, INDePaul. Under NCAA transfer rules, Roberts will have to sit out for the 2018–19 season, using a redshirt, leaving three years of eligibility remaining.

2018 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Kavonte Ivery
F
Stockbridge, GA Stockbridge 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Sep 19, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 78
Nelson Phillips
G
Warner Robins, GA Warner Robins 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sep 22, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: N/A
James Wall
F
Canton, GA Creekview 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Sep 8, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 93   Rivals: NA  ESPN: NA
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Georgia State Panthers". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2018-09-19.

    Roster

    2018–19 Georgia State Panthers men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    F 0 Kavonte Ivery 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)230 lb (104 kg) FrStockbridge Stockbridge, GA
    G 1 Damon Wilson 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg) JrOur Savior New American / Pittsburgh New York, NY
    G 2 Malik Benlevi (C) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg) SrJenkins Savannah, GA
    G 10 Nelson Phillips 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)175 lb (79 kg) FrWarner Robins Warner Robins, GA
    G 12 Kane Williams 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoSouth Paulding Douglasville, GA
    F 14 Chris Clerkly  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)235 lb (107 kg) JrPerry Perry, GA
    G 15 D'Marcus Simonds (C) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg) JrGainesville Gainesville, GA
    F 20 Josh Linder 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoVeterans Kathleen, GA
    F 21 James Wall (W) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrCreekview Canton, GA
    G 24 Devin Mitchell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)190 lb (86 kg) RS SrCollins Hill / Alabama Suwanee, GA
    F 30 Jeff Thomas 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)190 lb (86 kg) RS SrNorwalk Norwalk, OH
    G 35 Matt Chism (W) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg) SoDawson Christian Academy Dawsonville, GA
    F 50 Jordan Tyson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS SrWalnut Hills / St. Bonaventure Cincinnati, OH
    G NA Corey Allen  6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)215 lb (98 kg) JrYpsilanti / Detroit Ypsilanti, MI
    G NA Justin Roberts  5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)165 lb (75 kg) SoHenderson International School / DePaul Indianapolis, IN
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Source[1]

    Preseason

    • Junior D'Marcus Simonds named to Preseason Mid-Major All-American first team by NBC Sports.[2]
    • Georgia State was unanimously picked as conference preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference, receiving votes from all Sun Belt schools.[3]
    • D'Marcus Simonds was chosen as Preseason Player of the Year by the Sun Belt Conference.[3]
    • D'Marcus Simonds was chosen to the Sun Belt All-Conference Preseason First Team.[3]
    • Senior, Devin Mitchell, was chosen to the Sun Belt All-Conference Preseason Second Team.[3]

    Regular season

    • The Panthers placed third in the Cayman Islands Classic after routing in-state rival Georgia by a score of 91–67.
    • GSU rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide, 83–80, in Tuscaloosa during non-conference play. As of February 22, 2019, GSU owns more SEC wins than UGA (1) and Vanderbilt (0) and as many as Missouri (2).
    • Against Troy on February 13, Simonds became Georgia State's all-time leader in career made field goals.[4]
    • Seniors, Jeff Thomas and Devin Mitchell each hit their career 200th 3-pointers in the same game at Appalachian State on February 21.[5]
    • On March 9, Georgia State completed a season sweep of in-state rival Georgia Southern, marking the rivalry's first away win since 1996. With the victory, the Panthers clinched their third Sun Belt regular season championship in six years.
    • Junior, D'Marcus Simonds was selected as All-Conference First Team.[6]

    Post-season

    • Senior, Malik Benveli was named Most Outstanding Payer in the Sun Belt Tournament.
    • D'Marcus Simonds and Kane Williams were both named to the SBC All-Tournament Team.[7]

    Schedule and results

    Date
    time, TV
    Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    November 1, 2018*
    7:00 pm
    Georgia College W 78–58 
     26  Benlevi  9  Thomas  5  Tied  GSU Sports Arena 
    Atlanta, GA
    Non-conference regular season
    November 6, 2018*
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    ETSU W 74–68  1–0
     26  Thomas  11  Wilson  3  Thomas  GSU Sports Arena (1,688)
    Atlanta, GA
    November 9, 2018*
    9:00 pm
    at Montana L 74–81  1–1
     30  Simonds  7  Tied  5  Williams  Dahlberg Arena (4,321)
    Missoula, MT
    November 13, 2018*
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Mercer W 62–60  2–1
     30  Thomas  6  Simonds  5  Thomas  GSU Sports Arena (1,579)
    Atlanta, GA
    November 19, 2018*
    5:00 pm, Stadium
    vs. St. Bonaventure
    Cayman Islands Classic quarterfinals
    W 62–60  3–1
     25  Simonds  9  Phillips  6  Williams  John Gray Gymnasium (780)
    George Town, Cayman Islands
    November 20, 2018*
    7:30pm, Stadium
    vs. Creighton
    Cayman Islands Classic semifinals
    L 68–93  3–2
     21  Simonds  6  Tied  2  Thomas  John Gray Gymnasium (1,558)
    Georgetown, Cayman Islands
    November 21, 2018*
    4:00pm, Stadium
    vs. Georgia
    Cayman Islands Classic 3rd place game
    W 91–67  4–2
     24  Benlevi  7  Benlevi  8  Simonds  John Gray Gymnasium (781)
    Georgetown, Cayman Islands
    November 28, 2018*
    1:00 pm
    at Tulane W 80–76  5–2
     25  Benlevi  7  Thomas  5  Tied   Devlin Fieldhouse (1,450)
    New Orleans, LA
    December 1, 2018*
    6:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Liberty L 52–78  5-3
     22  Simonds  6  Wilson  5  Simonds  Vines Center (2,966)
    Lynchburg, VA
    December 4, 2018*
    8:00 pm, SEC+
    at Alabama W 83–80  6–3
     23  Simonds  8  Benlevi  5  Williams  Coleman Coliseum (9,076)
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    December 12, 2018*
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Chattanooga W 95–88  7–3
     24  Simonds  6  Simonds  5  Simonds  GSU Sports Arena (3,854)
    Atlanta, GA
    December 15, 2018*
    8:00 PM, FSN
    at No. 25 Kansas State L 59–71  7–4
     13  Thomas  6  Tyson  3  Simonds  Bramlage Coliseum (9,563)
    Manhattan, KS
    December 19, 2018*
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    UNCW W 86–71  8–4
     23  Mitchell  9  Simonds  7  Simonds  GSU Sports Arena (1,324)
    Atlanta, GA
    December 29, 2018*
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    Middle Georgia State W 117–69  9–4
     21  Mitchell  7  Thomas  6  Thomas  GSU Sports Arena (1,373)
    Atlanta, GA
    Sun Belt Conference regular season
    January 3, 2019
    8:00 pm, ESPN+
    at UT Arlington W 63–58  10–4
    (1–0)
     15  Simonds  6  Thomas  4  Williams  College Park Center (1,425)
    Arlington, TX
    January 5, 2019
    5:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Texas State W 73–69  11–4
    (2–0)
     22  Benlevi  12  Simonds  4  Tied  Strahan Coliseum (1,437)
    San Marcos, TX
    January 10, 2019
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Louisiana W 89–76  12–4
    (3–0)
     21  Simonds  9  Benlevi  6  Tied  GSU Sports Arena (1,211)
    Atlanta, GA
    January 12, 2019
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    ULM W 74–73  13–4
    (4–0)
     24  Simonds  8  Phillips  5  Williams  GSU Sports Arena (1,566)
    Atlanta, GA
    January 17, 2019
    8:00 pm, ESPN+
    at South Alabama W 69–66  14–4
    (5–0)
     18  Simonds  9  Tied  6  Simonds  Mitchell Center (1,985)
    Mobile, AL
    January 19, 2019
    3:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Troy L 75–77  14–5
    (5–1)
     28  Simonds  9  Simonds  4  Simonds  Trojan Arena (3,117)
    Troy, AL
    January 24, 2019
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Texas State L 68–81  14–6
    (5–2)
     20  Mitchell  7  Thomas  5  Simonds  GSU Sports Arena (1,984)
    Atlanta, GA
    January 26, 2019
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    UT Arlington W 77–71  15–6
    (6–2)
     27  Thomas  7  Wilson  5  Williams  GSU Sports Arena (1,669)
    Atlanta, GA
    February 2, 2019
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    Georgia Southern
    Modern Day Hate
    W 81–71  16–6
    (7–2)
     29  Simonds  8  Tyson  4  Williams  GSU Sports Arena (3,854)
    Atlanta, GA
    February 6, 2019
    8:00 pm, ESPN+
    at ULM L 76–82  16–7
    (7–3)
     18  Simonds  6  Benlevi  6  Simonds  Fant–Ewing Coliseum (2,391)
    Monroe, LA
    February 8, 2019
    9:00 pm, ESPN2
    at Louisiana L 72–76  16–8
    (7–4)
     21  Mitchell  6  Tied  4  Williams  Cajundome (4,814)
    Lafayette, LA
    February 13, 2019
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Troy W 77–63  17–8
    (8–4)
     27  Simonds  7  Tied  6  Simonds  GSU Sports Arena (1,426)
    Atlanta, GA
    February 16, 2019
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    South Alabama W 90–81  18–8
    (9–4)
     26  Benlevi  7  Tied  6  Williams  GSU Sports Arena (1,531)
    Atlanta, GA
    February 21, 2019
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Appalachian State W 80–75  19–8
    (10–4)
     20  Benlevi  9  Benlevi  4  Simonds  Holmes Convocation Center (1,653)
    Boone, NC
    February 23, 2019
    2:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Coastal Carolina L 82–95  19–9
    (10–5)
     31  Simonds  6  Wilson  5  Williams  HTC Center (1,469)
    Conway, SC
    February 28, 2019
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Arkansas State W 76–60  20–9
    (11–5)
     15  Thomas  6  Benlevi  5  Williams  GSU Sports Arena (1,615)
    Atlanta, GA
    March 2, 2019
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    Little Rock W 83–70  21–9
    (12–5)
     17  Williams  9  Tyson  5  Simonds  GSU Sports Arena (2,004)
    Atlanta, GA
    March 9, 2019
    5:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Georgia Southern
    Modern Day Hate
    W 90–85  22–9
    (13–5)
     23  Williams  11  Wilson  6  Wilson  Hanner Fieldhouse (3,897)
    Statesboro, GA
    Sun Belt Tournament
    March 16, 2019
    3:00 pm, ESPN+
    (1) vs. (4) Texas State
    Semifinals
    W 59–46  23–9
     15  Benlevi  10  Benlevi  5  Simonds  Lakefront Arena (1,344)
    New Orleans, LA
    March 17, 2019
    1:00 pm, ESPN2
    (1) vs. (2) UT Arlington
    Championship
    W 73–64  24–9
     16  Benlevi  11  Benlevi  5  Williams  Lakefront Arena (1,473)
    New Orleans, LA
    NCAA Tournament
    March 22, 2019*
    7:20 pm, TBS
    (14 MW) vs. (3 MW) No. 11 Houston
    First Round
    L 55–84  24–10
     18  Simonds  7  Wilson  2  Simonds  BOK Center (12,443)
    Tulsa, OK
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. MW=Midwest.
    All times are in Eastern Time.

    [8]

    References

    1. "GSU MEN'S BASKETBALL - 2018-19 ROSTER". Georgia State Athletics. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
    2. Raphielle Johnson. "Preseason Mid-Major All-Americans". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
    3. "Georgia State, Panthers' Simonds Headline Men's Basketball Preseason Honors". SunBeltSports.org. Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
    4. Mike Holmes. "Simonds Scores 27, Sets Career FGM Record as Panthers Top Troy 77-63". Georgia State Athletics. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
    5. Mike Holmes. "Benlevi Just Misses Double-Double, Panthers Top App-State 80-75". Georgia State Athletics. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
    6. "Sun Belt Announces 2018-19 Men's Basketball Postseason All-Conference, Individual Awards". Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
    7. "No. 1 Georgia State Defeats No. 2 UTA in Sun Belt Men's Basketball Championship Final". Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
    8. "Men's Basketball 2018- Schedule". GeorgiaStateSports.com. Georgia State University. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
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