Who's Got Next: Georgia State

VCU (11-4, 3-3 CAA) hits the floor against CAA rival Georgia State (8-10, 2-4 CAA) Saturday at 6 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA.

After a 1-3 start to conference play, the Rams reeled off two straight wins to pull even at 3-3 in league play. A nice balance on both sides of the ball has helped the Black & Gold, holding its two opponents to just 66.0 ppg, while scoring 79.0 ppg.

However, the road has not been kind for VCU the couple of seasons. The Rams have struggled to a 11-12 record in away contests. In contrast, VCU is almost untouchable at home posting a 21-2 over the same two year period.

The Rams are 3-3 on the road this year.

VCU holds a 16-4 advantage in the head-to-head series against Georgia State. Since the time that GSU joined the CAA, the Rams have never lost to them, going a perfect 10-0, including three wins in 2008-09.

With six seniors on the roster, Georgia State head coach Rod Barnes leads his most experienced team of his three-year tenure. The Panthers feature 5 transfers from BCS schools headlined by the backcourt tandem of Joe Dukes and Trae Goldston.

Dukes is a preseason selection to the All-Colonial Athletic Association second team after earning third-team honors a year ago. The 6-1 guard averages 13.6 points per game, along with 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He is currently 10th in the CAA and fourth in steals.

The Panther’s sharp shooting Goldston averages 11.6 ppg including 2.1 three pointers per game which currently ranks 6^th in the CAA. The senior guard has struggled of late being held to just eight points over the last three games after averaging 20.8 ppg for the previous four. Goldston was the recipient of the CAA Player of the Week honors on Dec. 28.

VCU is the only CAA school that Georgia State has not beaten in its brief history in the league. The Panthers' last win over VCU was a 99-80 decision on Dec. 22, 1998 at the GSU Sports Arena.