By: Colby Wilson, Associate Director of Athletics Communications
CLARKSVILLE—Austin Peay State University men's basketball team will host Eastern Illinois in the back half of a Saturday, Feb. 20 doubleheader to conclude the 2021 home schedule.
This will be the final appearance for Terry Taylor and Reginald Gee in the Dunn Center, barring a postseason appearance. Prior to the game, they'll be honored for their contributions to the program.
Scouting the Panthers
The Panthers have played 24 games this season; due to a confluence of events familiar to many teams in Division I this season, only one–Marvin Johnson–has played even 23 games and only three Panthers have played 20. Some of the biggest names on Jay Spoonhour's roster–Josiah Wallace, George Dixon, Mack Smith–have missed seven, eight and nine games, respectively, and even then it's never a seamless transition to get everyone back on the same page.
After dispatching Murray State Thursday night, the Panthers may have turned a corner. Smith was efficient from distance and seems back to the version of himself that was setting NCAA records for consecutive games with a three. Wallace saw his first action in over two weeks. Spoonhour has the whole squad back now and, with ground to make up, the Panthers are a dangerous opponent to see over the season's final 10 days.
Johnson has often been a man alone this season, never quite certain exactly who will be alongside him from game-to-game. That has allowed the Ardmore, Oklahoma product to become one of the league's most effective two-way forces, capable of scoring (team-high 15.3 ppg), rebounding (10 games with six or more), creating for others (102 assists) and defense (17 games with 2 or more blocks plus steals, including three blocks and five steals in the previous meeting with the Govs). Wallace and Smith have been reliable parts of the Panther unit for years now, but Johnson has been the steady catalyst this season and has to be accounted for by the Govs.
Last Time Against Eastern Illinois
Terry Taylor did the thing where he takes over as the clear-cut best player on the court in the Jan. 9 meeting in Charleston. Taylor scored eight of Austin Peay's first 11 points and 38 overall, the most by an OVC player in 2020-21, while also pulling down 17 rebounds. Just for kicks, he banked home the game-winning three as time expired to lift the Govs past the Panthers in Lantz Arena.
Keep An Eye On…
- A win would give the Govs a season sweep of the Panthers for the first time since 2018.
- Carlos Paez has hit 33 straight free throws since Jan. 2.
- A win would be Austin Peay's fifth straight at home.
- Over the last nine games, Austin Peay is hitting 81.0 percent (141-for-174) as a team.
- Sophomore Mike Peake is now up to 63.9 percent (62-for-97) from the floor over the last 15 games.
- Over the last nine games, the Govs have posted 19.8 points off turnover per night.
- The Govs have forced their opponent into 10 or more turnovers in 27 consecutive games.
- Sophomore Alec Woodard is hitting 43.5 percent (10-for-23) from deep over his last six games.
- Freshman Tai'Reon Joseph is averaging 13.0 points over his last five games, knocking down 2.6 threes per night.
- Milestone Watch—Career: Taylor needs nine three-pointers to break into the career top-10 in program history and is four blocked shots from tying John Fraley for fourth all-time.
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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. Failure to comply with any of these measures, by fans or media, could result in immediate expulsion from the arena.
In the time of COVID-19, there is always a chance a game will not come to fruition or something else will pop up first. Be sure to monitor LetsGoPeay.com and follow @AustinPeayMBB on Twitter for the latest updates.
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.
