Preview: Georgia State Panthers at South Alabama Jaguars

MOBILE, Ala. (Interstat) — A surging South Alabama squad will look to protect its home court against a Georgia State team seeking to snap a skid when the Sun Belt Conference rivals meet Saturday at the Mitchell Center.

The Jaguars (15-6 overall) enter with momentum, having won four of their last five, including a gritty 53-48 defensive victory over Coastal Carolina on Thursday. Standout guard Chaze Harris, who poured in 38 points in a Jan. 15 overtime win, leads South Alabama. He averages 18.4 points over his last seven games and is coming off a 15-point, 4-assist performance.

The visiting Panthers (9-13) aim to rebound from an 82-72 road loss at Louisiana-Lafayette on Thursday. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a three-game winning streak in mid-January followed by two losses in their last three outings. Georgia State will lean on guard Malachi Brown, who is averaging 18.1 points over his last eight contests. Brown scored a season-high 25 points in 39 minutes during the loss to Louisiana-Lafayette.

The matchup pits contrasting trajectories. South Alabama has established itself as a contender near the top of the Sun Belt standings, emphasizing a balanced attack and timely defense. Georgia State, sitting below .500, has shown offensive firepower but struggles with consistency, particularly away from home.

Historically, games between these programs have been closely contested. The Jaguars will rely on Harris and supporting scorers like Jayden Cooper and Adam Olsen, who combined for 29 points in the last game. The Panthers need Brown to continue his high-scoring pace and will require increased production from secondary options like Jakai Newton and Joah Chappelle to compete.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile. For South Alabama, it’s a chance to solidify its standing. For Georgia State, it’s an opportunity to derail a front-runner and build momentum for a challenging February schedule.