CLARKSVILLE— Austin Peay State University men's basketball team begins a four-game homestand by hosting McKendree to kick off a packed eight-day, four-game jaunt to close out the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule, 7 p.m., Dec. 14.

In addition to hosting McKendree, the Govs will make it back-to-back days with a game in the Dunn Center for the first time since the 1992 Acme Boot Showdown when Florida A&M visits for a 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15 tilt.

Scouting the Bearcats

In the aftermath of a dispiriting loss at Murray State, one advantage to the disjointed nature of 2020-21 college basketball is that you don't necessarily roll straight to the next league game after a loss. The Govs will have a chance to fine-tune some of the things that haunted them in the league opener against the Racers with three non-conference outings ahead of their next tilt with their archrivals.

Against McKendree, the Govs will look to get back right defensively after giving up a season-high 87 points to the Racers. McKendree is an opponent known for bombing away from beyond the arc, averaging nearly a dozen per night in the young season after hitting eight against the Govs in last season's meeting.

The Governors, who have posted at least 10 games with 10 or fewer turnovers each of the last two seasons, have yet to commit fewer than 13 turnovers in a single game in 2020-21, leading to an average 17.8 points off turnover for their opponents. A year ago, the Govs turned it over 15 times against the Bearcats but surrendered just 12 points off those miscues. They'll look to reduce both those numbers in this meeting. 

Scouting the Rattlers

Florida A&M is 0-4. The losses the Rattlers have accrued have been at the hands of Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia, Oregon and Oklahoma—three Power Five programs and a respected mid-major.

As such, it's difficult to ascertain how statistically relevant their numbers are. Are the Rattlers surrendering 52.7 percent from the floor against a standard schedule? Is the rebound margin nearly negative-four? Unclear. What is clear is that junior wing MJ Randolph will lead the attack; his 21 points at Georgia led the Rattler charge against the Bulldogs.

Last Time Against The Opposition

Terry Taylor did his thing, pouring in 39 points to close out the 2019 non-conference slate with an emphatic 80-61 win in the Dunn Center, Dec. 17, 2019. Taylor scored 18 of Austin Peay's first 19 points and 11 of Austin Peay's final 21 in the first half, outscoring McKendree by himself through the first 20 minutes of play. The Bearcats never truly threatened in the second half.

As for the Rattlers, this will be Austin Peay's first meeting with their MEAC foe.  This will be the second year in a row the Govs have hosted a MEAC opponent in the Dunn Center; Austin Peay dispatched South Carolina State, 92-66, Nov. 25, 2019 when it welcomed its first-ever MEAC foe to Clarksville.

Keep An Eye On…

• With one win, Austin Peay would open the season at 4-2 or better for the first time since 2016; with two, the Govs would achieve a 5-2 mark for the first time since that same year.
• A win would give the Govs an 18-game home winning streak; two would push the Govs closer to the 28-game mark set from 2002-04.
• Carlos Paez currently sports a three-game streak of double-digit scoring.
• Austin Peay's bench has accounted for 20-plus points four times in five games this season.
• Paez's next game leading the Govs in assists will be his 20^th time leading the way in helpers in an Austin Peay uniform.
• The Govs have outscored their opponent in second-chance points in all five games this season.
• Milestone Watch—Career: With his next start, Taylor will pass Adrian Henning for sole possession of eighth all-time with 106 starts. His next free-throw will also give him sole possession of 10^th all-time in career attempts by a Gov.  
• Milestone Watch—OVC: Taylor needs four points to take sole possession of 16^th in conference history ahead of Kevin Murphy (Tennessee Tech, 2008-12) and Howie Crittenden (Murray State, 1952-56). Thirty-three points would draw him even with Isaiah Canaan (Murray State, 2009-13) all-time.

They Said It

I want to see @PresMurrayState and @dannellefwwesq in a free throw competition at halftime. I'll make a donation to the winning school. Make this happen @murraystateuniv @austinpeay

— keith carver (@KC4UTM) December 12, 2020

Govs in the time of COVID

For the 2020-21 season, Austin Peay State University athletics will allow approximately 35 percent capacity in the Dunn Center for home basketball events. There will be no lower bowl seating for fans during the season. The lower level will be limited to players, coaches, and game-day support staff only. Seats will be assigned to create a buffer between groups to ensure social distancing is maintained. Students seating will be located in sections AA-BB for both men's and women's games. Masks or facial coverings are required to enter the Dunn Center. They must remain in place at all times unless eating or drinking.

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. ESPN Clarksville (104.1 FM/540 AM) will carry the radio broadcast locally and online.