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(02-06-2015 09:14 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 08:35 AM)TheEagleWay Wrote:  A friend sitting court side noticed that early in the game, if State scored points Harrow would stare down each person sitting court side. You'd think if you were up killing us, a player would do that, but early on?

Harrow's a very emotional player, and the crowd came ready to play to that. I know I heard a "T him up!" chant after one of his fouls, and I thought there was a "Wildcat reject" chant going on at one point. All things considered, he held himself together better than he could have. Overall, this collection of personalities just hasn't gelled like our team did last year (I don't doubt that the loss of Atkins and White has a lot to do with that). Last night, we just got beat in a defensive game where GS hit us where it hurts in the second half (beyond the arc). Here's to hoping we're that much better as a team when we play again in Atlanta and, who knows, maybe in New Orleans...

For everything I heard/read about Harrow prior to this game, I was expecting to see a loose cannon & hothead out on the court. He was anything but that, and outside of what Crider did early in the game I think he held Georgia State together.

From opening warmups the fans in Hanner were giving him grief, though everything I heard being on the floor was just "normal" trashtalk. I will say, he was dishing it out as well as he was getting it. He and Hunter Jr. were all smiles early on pre-game and through the first half while the banter was going back and forth from the crowd.

Thing is, since the ULL game, the crowd at Hanner has just been waiting for a night like last night. Waiting really almost 25 years, and that is not an exaggeration either. When Steph Curry came years ago with Davidson, the crowd was wanting to pour it out like they did last night but they whipped us and whipped us good. I was a senior at Georgia Southern the last time that Hanner was rocking like last night, and I'm 47 years old.

Georgia State was unable to capitalize in the first half and build an insurmountable lead when we shot a poor 20% or so from the field. Once again, our defensive intensity in the second half gave us a chance and whether it was poor shot selection, luck, defensive pressure .... whatever ... it at times ailed both Georgia State and Georgia Southern. The Eagles missed several easy layups, as did the Panthers .... both teams had shots rim out. Hewitt had a cold night offensively and Matias somehow avoided a game with a travel but had three or four balls simply slip out of his hands.

This game was close because neither team has a marked advantage over the other. I suspect the game in Atlanta will also be tight, and if we get a rubber match in New Orleans it will certainly be a war.

Harrow impressed me, Hunter not as much. It was one game though. After our first cycle through the Sun Belt in league play, I think the top 3 teams that are going to give us fits (matchup wise) are Georgia State, ULL and Texas State ... in that order. Georgia Southern has been very fortunate to win both games so far vs. Texas State, IMO.

(02-06-2015 12:37 PM)NCeagle Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 12:33 PM)FLEagle Wrote:  And now there's Georgia State fans predicting they'll still beat us by 15+ in Atlanta. The delusion never stops.

I think you guys forget that we have a huge number of fans/alums in the city that'll be at the game. Probably even outnumber you guys again.

haha. they do have a small arena. it will probably be half and half.

On the flip side, there will be loud chants for GSU from both fan bases. lol

I hope so. I was impressed with the number of folks state brought and how vocal they were. I hope we can return the favore in atlanta. It was great to have the best basketball crowd we have had in a long time!