ATLANTA -  Nate James and Austin Peay State University enter their first season in the ASUN Conference with one goal: prove the doubters wrong.

Despite receiving a first-place vote in the ASUN media poll, the Governors were picked ninth, earning 189 points. Austin Peay also was selected ninth in the coaches' poll with 88 points. Both preseason polls were unveiled Wednesday along with the Preseason All-ASUN Team.

Among eight returning letterwinners, the Governors welcome back their top two scorers - Elijah Hutchins-Everett (12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Caleb Stone-Carrawell (11.4 ppg) - from a season ago. Hutchins-Everett, the only player to start all 29 games, was voted OVC Freshman of the Year last season. Five returnees appeared in at least 24 games last season, including four who appeared in all 29.

For the 2022-23 campaign, James added seven newcomers. That group includes three true freshmen, two Division I transfers, and two junior college transfers.

Austin Peay and Queens are the two newcomers to the ASUN, increasing the league to 14 teams.

James and Hutchins-Everett are scheduled to appear on the ASUN Preseason Show at 6 p.m. CT, Thursday, on ESPN+.

The Governors' men's and women's basketball teams host the second annual Govs Madness at 6 p.m., Oct. 20, in the Winfield Dunn Center.

Austin Peay welcomes Fisk to the Dunn Center Nov. 2 for an exhibition before opening its regular season Nov. 7 at North Carolina State. The Governors' first of 15 home games is Nov. 14 versus Milligan.

Season tickets, Governors Courtside Seating, a General Admission Total GOV Package, or VIPeay Total GOV Package for Austin Peay's final season in the Dunn Center can be purchased:

• in-person by visiting the SS&E office inside the Winfield Dunn Center;
• online;
• via email (jmitchell@ssellc.com);
• by calling 931-221-PEAY (7329).

Single-game and group tickets go on sale Oct. 17.

ASUN Preseason Awards

Player of the Year: Darius McGhee, Liberty
Defensive Player of the Year: Juston Betz, Bellarmine

All-Conference Team
*Darius McGhee, Liberty, Sr., G
*Kevion Nolan, Jacksonville, Sr., G
*Ahsan Asadullah, Lipscomb, Sr., C
Camren Hunter, Central Arkansas, So., G
Michael Moreno, Eastern Kentucky, Jr., F
Chase Johnston, FGCU, Jr., G
Chris Youngblood, Kennesaw State, Jr., G
Kyle Rode, Liberty, Sr., F
Carter Hendricksen, North Florida, Sr., F
Jose Placer, North Florida, Jr., G

* - denotes unanimous selection to the preseason team