gophers/ncaa

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, November 13, 9 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Marriott Center (20,900) -- Provo, Utah. Television: BYUtv. Home Record: GSU 0-0, BYU 1-0. Away Record: GSU 0-1, BYU 0-0. Neutral Record: GSU 0-0, BYU 0-0. Conference Record: GSU 0-0, BYU 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Georgia State Panthers and BYU Cougars will meet tonight at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Georgia State will play its second straight road game to open the season after having the misfortune of taking on the eighth-ranked Duke Blue Devils in its opener, losing 74-55. The Panthers, who finished 22-13 a year ago, are ranked 13th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 Poll. Their visit to Provo will be their longest road trip of the season.

BYU got its season off to a strong start with an 81-66 win at home over Tennessee State last Friday night. It was just the fifth win in a season opener in Dave Rose's eight years as head coach, although he has gone 7-1 in home openers.

The Cougars and Panthers have never met previously on the basketball court.

Georgia State had its hands full with a loaded Duke squad, although it kept its deficit to single digits for most of the first half. It wasn't a strong shooting night for the Panthers, as they completed less than 38 percent of their field goals, and they also had little answer for the hot-shooting Blue Devils, who finished 11-of-24 from three-point range. Standing out from the rest of the team was an impressive performance by Devonta White. The 5-10 junior proved why he was named to the Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association Second Team by scoring 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, although he was also victimized for six turnovers. Freshman R.J. Hunter, son of head coach Ron Hunter, recorded a double-double in his first-career game with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Panthers went with a small lineup against Duke, but they are typically going to start James Vincent (6-10, 260) at center, who recorded eight points and five rebounds in a reserve role on Friday.

BYU took a 13-point advantage into halftime against Tennessee State and led by as many as 19 as it cruised to an easy victory in its season opener. The Cougars were on fire from the floor, connecting on 30-of-55 of its field goal attempts (.545). Sophomore guard Tyler Haws was the catalyst with 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting. He also went 8-of-9 from the foul line, but he snapped his school-record free throw streak at 50 in a row. Brandon Davies also got his season off to a roaring start with 16 points, seven boards, three assists, two steals, and a career-high four blocked shots. Davies averaged 15.2 ppg and 7.7 a season ago, and with Noah Hartsock graduated, Davies has become the unquestioned anchor in the frontcourt. Brock Zylstra rounded out the double digit scorers with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Matt Carlino (nine points) was able to find the open man all night as he recorded 10 assists, one shy of his career high.

Georgia State has the pieces in place to make a run at the CAA crown in its last season as a member of the conference, but making a cross-country trip to play a very good BYU team is asking an awful lot from the Panthers. Expect Davies to create miss-matches down low and for the Cougars to roll.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: BYU 77, Georgia State 66