Georgia State at Charlotte

Georgia ST. is returning very little from a 7-22 team last year, but sometimes you catch lightning in a bottle, and get a few surprises. Coach Michael Perry has gotten several. Let's start with 6'7" Lances Perique. His game has taken a quantum leap from a year ago. What was 4.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg has elevated to 18.3 ppg and 5.8 rpg! Then there is Rashad Chase 6.1 ppg and 4.2 rpg a year ago, and this year 15 ppg and 8.3 rpg. Leonard Mendez has gone from 3 ppg and 1 rpg to 13.3 ppg and 4.8 rpg. The last surprise is newcomer Trae Goldstein averaging 8.5 ppg and 45.5% on 3's. This is a much improved team from a year ago, and those 14 halftime leads that turned into losses and a 7-22 season, will be changed significantly. They already played Charleston, a very good team to within 6. Charlotte returns most of a team from a 19 win season, and NIT bid a year ago. The big issue right now for Charlotte is shooting and defense. Charlotte ranks #288 in FG percentage at a woeful 38.5%. They are also #265 at 29.9% from beyond the arc. To complicate things the defense has been non-existent. They are giving up 47.5% and 42.5% from three. Georgia St. has shot well 46.3% and 41.1% from behind the line. This looks like a good spot for an "under the radar" team in Georgia St. vs a Charlotte team still looking to get its legs.