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          Bracket Bolster: Georgia State, Texas State square off for the Sun Belt

          Simonds is essential for a team capable of winning a game in the tournament. Peter Aiken/Getty Images
          • John Gasaway, ESPN InsiderJan 22, 2019, 03:35 PM
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            • ESPN Insider college basketball contributor
            • First began covering college hoops in 2004
            • Has written for Basketball Prospectus and the Wall Street Journal
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          The past few years have been good ones for Georgia State basketball. The Panthers have been to two of the past four NCAA tournaments, and GSU reached the 2015 round of 32 in rather memorable fashion.

          Ron Hunter's men are eyeing another automatic bid this season, but in 2019 they have some serious competition in the Sun Belt. Texas State has bounced back from a 15-18 season in 2017-18 and carries a gaudy 15-3 record into its showdown with the Panthers in Atlanta at 7 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN+.