CLARKSVILLE—One final non-conference road test awaits Austin Peay State University men's basketball team in Athens, when the Govs face Georgia in a 6 p.m. (CT) matchup–their fourth visit with a Power Five foe in 2019.
The Govs will close the pre-Ohio Valley Conference portion of their season looking to get back above .500 and for their season's first true road win. They'll do so in a hostile environment at Stegeman Coliseum, where Georgia has yet to lose this season.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Task No. 1 for the Govs: limit the impact Anthony Edwards has on the contest. This will be easier said than done; the Georgia wing, a possible No. 1 pick in next June's NBA Draft and a surefire lottery choice has done nothing to diminish the expectations he arrived with in Athens, putting up 19.7 ppg as part of a Georgia attack that ranks 11th nationally at 82.5 points per night. That's even taking into account a 29.3 percent mark from beyond the arc, which ranks 311th in Division I.
Ball control is always at a premium when a mid-major squares off against a Power Five foe, and it will be no different for the Govs against Georgia. The Bulldogs force more than 15 turnovers per game, a decent number that pairs well with their 8.8 steals per night; however, Gerogia ranks 293rd nationally in turnovers committed at a hefty 15.3 per game in their own right. Austin Peay will need to be diligent stewards of the ball if they hope to topple the Bulldogs.
Last Time Against Georgia
This the first meeting between the Govs and Georgia; Austin Peay last saw Tom Crean as head coach at Indiana in 2016.
Keep An Eye On…
- A win would be Austin Peay's first in the state of Georgia since Nov. 29, 2008 at Georgia Southern.
- The Govs have now had six different lineup combinations through 12 games, including each of the last three. They had just five different starter combinations in 33 games last season.
- Terry Taylor is averaging 25.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals over the last eight games, hitting 64.4 percent (85-for-132) from the floor.
- A loss would be Austin Peay's eighth straight road loss dating back to last season–the longest road losing streak since a nine-gamer to open the 2016-17 season.
- The Govs are hitting 83.3 percent (55-for-66) at the free-throw line the last three games.
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. You can also purchase tickets online at www.LetsGoPeay.com/buytickets; be sure to access the new 360-degree view of the Dunn Center when purchasing tickets.
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; the Georgia contest will be carried on the SEC Network+. ESPN Clarksville (104.1 FM/540 AM) will carry the radio broadcast locally and online.
