U men gameday: Gophers vs. Georgia State

Last update: November 16, 2008 - 12:45 AM

Preview: Rod Barnes leads Georgia State against the Gophers in the first meeting between the two teams in the final game of the NABC Classic. Georgia State, which went 9-21 last season, lost its season opener Friday to Bowling Green on a three-pointer at the buzzer. The Panthers are led by senior guard Leonard Mendez, a preseason all-conference pick in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Gophers begin their year with five new players -- two junior college transfers and three freshmen -- after going 20-14 overall last season during Tubby Smith's first year. The Gophers will likely play without Damian Johnson (broken hand) and Jonathan Williams (hernia).

Key players: Since last week's exhibition games, sophomore Al Nolen has become a team leader. The Gophers graduated three seniors last season. Nolen averaged 13.5 points, four assists and five steals per game during two exhibition victories. Mendez averaged 16 points per game for Georgia State last season.

Numbers: Georgia State has five Division I transfers on its roster this season. Four players -- Nolen, Lawrence Westbrook, Paul Carter and Devoe Joseph -- averaged double figures for the Gophers during the exhibition season.

MYRON P. MEDCALF

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