Georgia St. @ Mississippi preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2015 ) Georgia St. 59, Mississippi 68

Ole Miss guard Deandre Burnett started 27 games in 2016-17, but the senior has settled into serving as a spark off the bench through both of the Rebels victories this season. Ole Miss hosts Georgia State on Friday and looks for another boost from Burnett, last season’s leading scorer who has recorded 17 points in victories over Louisiana and Eastern Kentucky while helping coach Andy Kennedy alleviate a crowded backcourt.

“We have a lot of good guards,” Burnett told reporters after he led four scorers in double figures in Monday’s 85-75 victory and connected on four 3-pointers. “Someone has to come off the bench. I felt like I was the best guy for that job.” Devontate Shuler scored 12 points Monday in his first career start, and the Rebels' backcourt was enough to help them pull away down the stretch. The Panthers seek their first 3-0 start since reaching the NCAA tournament in 2000-01. Georgia State defeated Rice 75-54 on Monday, as sophomore D’Marcus Simonds scored 14 points with seven rebounds and seven assists.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus

ABOUT GEORGIA STATE (2-0): Simonds recorded the first triple-double in school history in an opening-night blowout of Carver and is averaging 17 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists. The Panthers have given up 52 points per game while ranking third nationally in turnover margin (13.5) and ninth in steals per game (13). Georgia State has won 20 or more games three times in the past four seasons.

ABOUT OLE MISS (2-0): Guard Terence Davis averages a team-high 18.5 points per game after scoring 16 against Eastern Kentucky, and Burnett ranks second while shooting 58.8 percent from the field. Forward Marcanvis Hymon scored eight points with 10 rebounds Monday and is averaging 10 points and 11.5 rebounds. The Rebels are averaging 89.5 points per game.

TIP-INS

1. Powered by Burnett, the Rebels scored 42 points off the bench Monday.

2. Ole Miss has played crisp offense through two games with 36 assists and 22 turnovers.

3. Georgia State coach Ron Hunter is one victory away from career win No. 400.

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 82, Georgia State 71