Men’s basketball gets a boost in the Bahamas

The Georgia State men's basketball team has become a new team after five of the six 2009-2010 starting line-up graduated, with head coach Rod Barnes bringing in a talented recruiting class and preparing for the 2010-2011 season with an active off-season.

Barnes believes the loss of the seniors does not seem to have affected the team's confidence.

"They got a little swagger about them," Barnes said.

"They are a very confident group of young men."

Still, Barnes has to adapt to having a whole new cast of players.

"Obviously we are a different team than last year," Barnes said.

"I'm glad that all of our seniors graduated, but now we have eight new players that we have to work in."

Barnes has seen 11 of his players earn degrees while at Georgia State, according to www.georgiastatesports.com. In his four years, every one of his seniors has graduated.

After the 2009-2010, the Panthers graduated leading scorer and assist-man Joe Dukes, sharp shooter Trae Goldston, post players Trey Hampton and Xavier Hansbro, energetic sixth-man Ousman Krubally and wing Kevin Lott.

Marques Johnson, the only starter returning to the team, earned a degree in sociology this summer but will suit up in 2010-2011, his final year of eligibility.

The Panthers enter the 2010-2011 campaign without last season's top five scorers and top four rebounders.

Barnes and his staff prepared for the impact of the graduations by assembling one of the most impressive recruiting classes he has had as the Panthers' head coach.

"I like to judge after wins and losses," Barnes said.

"…I'm excited about the guys we brought in this year."

Barnes said he has been recruiting for this season for the past two or three years and that this allowed the staff to pick up the "main guys" they wanted.

"We have guys that are ready to come here and move this program forward," Barnes said. "This recruiting class is one of the best I've had and one of the best at Georgia State in a long time."

Barnes scored two talented freshmen guards this year with Javonte Maynor and DeVonta White joining the team. Although both of them are small in stature, they have the potential to make a big impact, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

Maynor is athletic, but he is known for his lights-out shooting ability.

White received a lot of attention this year with his performance at the Flyin' to the Hoop Boys High School Invitational in Dayton, Ohio.

White's 27 points and 5.5 assists per game had Slam Magazine calling him "the biggest sleeper" of the tournament, which featured top recruits from all over the nation.

Harold Doby is another freshman that stands to make an immediate impact.

Doby, a 6-foot-6-inch, 210-pounder from Augusta, Ga., is a solid ball handler and passer. His combination of size and athleticism should prove to be a great asset for Barnes.

The Panthers also added some top junior college players.

Forwards Eric Buckner and Brandon McGee, along with guard Josh Micheaux, have all worked to improve for the upcoming season.

Barnes said he expects redshirt junior Jihad Ali to step up and lead the team. Ali said he feels comfortable with his new role.

"Last year, I was more of a spark off of the bench," Ali said.

"Now I'm more of a leader. I'll be looking to score and rebound more. I'm ready to do whatever I can do to help the team."

Barnes said at the end of last season that he sat down with all of his returning players to set goals and map out areas to improve.

So far, Barnes said he has seen promising results.

"Marques [Johnson] is shooting the ball better," Barnes said.

"James Fields is more mature and has a better understanding of the game. He could be one of the better defenders in the conference."

Barnes also said that James Vincent has improved his conditioning and consistency after being injured much of last season.

The team has been busy this off-season as they voyaged down to the Bahamas to play three games from Aug. 12-17. The trip marked the first time that the team has taken an off-season international trip, according to GeorgiaStateSports.com.

Barnes' Panthers spent 10 days practicing, as permitted by NCAA rules, before heading down to Nassau, Bahamas.

The Panthers earned a 78-75 win over the Grand Bahamas All-Stars in the first game of their off-season road trip. Redshirt Junior Jihad Ali led the way, scoring 14 points and pulling down six rebounds.

Senior Dante Curry and Maynor added 11 points apiece. Doby also snagged six rebounds.

Ali led the way in the second game as well, scoring 15 points, leading the Panthers to an 88-87 victory in their second game against the Grand Bahamas All-Stars.

Doby had a strong showing, scoring 14 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field.

Micheaux scored 13 points, shooting 6-of-6 from the field to complement his six steals. Vincent had a big game as well, flirting with a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

McGee had the most dominant performance of the trip in the Panthers' third game. His 22 points and 21 rebounds carried the team to an 82-76 victory over the Common Wealth Giants.

Freshmen White and Doby also had solid games. White scored 12 points while Doby pulled in 11 rebounds. Ali was pleased with the performance of the new recruits.

"Doby is a great rebounder and White moves the ball well in transition," Ali said.

The Panthers out-rebounded every team they faced during their trip, showing off the team's new and improved length and athleticism despite playing without Buckner, who Barnes said is the best rebounder on the team.