CLARKSVILLE—Austin Peay State University men's basketball team will host the first of two exhibition contests when Union University visits the Dunn Center for a 7 p.m., Thursday, tip-off.
After playing no exhibition contests a year ago the Govs will follow up Union by hosting Lees-McCrae, Nov. 2. Both contests will be free admission and Austin Peay ticketing staff will be on hand to answer any questions regarding 2019-20 ticketing options. The regular season begins Nov. 5 when Oakland City visits the Dunn Center.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Union returns its top eight scorers from last season's 16-13 team. Clarksville native Tyree Boykin and son of former Gov Terry Boykin averaged 23.5 points in limited action, while Tylandrius Parks nearly averaged a double-double (11.3 points, 8.0 rebounds). Similar to Austin Peay, the Bulldogs have a distinct international flair; three internationals, including siblings Ousmane and Samory Gueye, will take the court Thursday for Union. Ousmane Gueye prepped at Sunrise Christian Academy alongside Austin Peay freshman Carlos Paez.
Last Time Out Against Union
The Govs defeated the Bulldogs in a 62-55 decision, Dec. 10, 1974. For context, the Dunn Center opened Dec. 1, 1975.
Keep An Eye On…
- Preseason Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year Terry Taylor. Not necessarily because he can add to any of his eye-popping career totals in this game, but because one of the greatest players in program history should be seen.
- Eli Abaev will suit up for the first time as a Gov after missing all of 2018-19; Abaev was was last seen averaging 15 points and 13 boards in leading Team USA to gold at the European Maccabi Games.
- Two new faces will stalk the sidelines as assistants on Matt Figger's coaching staff. Nikita Johnson is a 30-year veteran who has coached in a Final Four and is now on his third tour through the Ohio Valley Conference, while Darryl Dora was a graduate assistant on the Texas Tech staff that advanced to the Final Four in 2019.
- Nine new Govs—Paez, Jordyn Adams, Sita Conteh, Sam DeVault, Pavle Djurisic, Reginald Gee, Evan Hinson, Devon McCain and Alec Woodard—will make their first appearance in an Austin Peay uniform. Adams, DeVault, Djurisic, McCain, Paez and Woodard are all true freshmen, making this the largest freshman class for Austin Peay since 2011-12.
They Said It
Tickets, please
Governors Courtside Seating returns for the 2019-20 season. Fans can contact the APSU Athletics Ticket Office for courtside seating availability and pricing. The VIPeay Hoops Experience, available to Black Tie Monocle Society members and above, also returns for 2019-20 after a successful debut last season. For more information on joining the Governors in the Dunn Center this winter, to secure season tickets or to become involved with the Monocle Society, call 931-221-PEAY.
Govs Online
Check back at LetsGoPeay.com and on Austin Peay's Official Athletics Facebook page often for up-to-date news about all Governor athletics, as well as the Governor men's basketball Twitter page (@AustinPeayMBB). Live stats will be available during the game at PeayStats.com, and all home games and Ohio Valley Conference games can be viewed on the ESPN+ app.
