CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University head coach Nate James announced his team's non-conference schedule.
The Governors' slate is highlighted with three trips to Power Five conference teams, including two which reached the NCAA tournament a season ago, and three games in Florida as part of the Sunshine Slam, with two at Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. The Governors will host five-consecutive contests in their final season in the Dunn Center.
"To start the season, I really wanted to challenge my team in preparation for the ASUN Conference, which will be extremely competitive from top to bottom," James said. "In that preparation, I decided to schedule an extremely tough non-conference schedule, competing against several Power Five teams from the ACC, SEC and Big 10.
"Like most teams, we're still in the building process, but I'm excited about this season. As we continue to establish our culture, I believe the future is bright for Austin Peay men's basketball."
Austin Peay season tickets can now be renewed until Sept. 23. New season ticket purchases and single game ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
Early non-conference tests
After a home exhibition against Fisk (ESPN+) Nov. 2, the Governors open the regular season making their first-ever trip to North Carolina State Nov. 7 before traveling to Purdue Nov. 11 for just the third time and first since 2010-11.
First home game
For the second-straight season, Austin Peay welcomes Milligan, the start of the Governors' final season inside the Dunn Center, with the game being televised on ESPN+. The Governors came away with a 98-55 victory last year in the first matchup between the teams since scoring a school-record 122 points in a 26-point triumph Feb. 21, 1991. The Governors have won five-consecutive meetings overall and eight in a row at home.
Sunshine Slam
Austin Peay travels to South Florida on Nov. 17 for its first contest of the Sunshine Slam. The Ocean Bracket portion of the tournament begins Nov. 21 with a contest against Albany, followed by a game against either Bucknell or Presbyterian the following day. The bracket portion of the tournament is televised on FloSports.
Five-consecutive contests inside Dunn Center
On Nov. 26, Howard comes to the Dunn Center as the second leg of a home-and-home agreement. The Governors host Western Kentucky and former Austin Peay assistant Rick Stansbury on Nov. 30. On Dec. 3, Tennessee State makes its first trip to Clarksville as a nonconference opponent since the 1984-85 campaign, where Austin Peay has won four in a row and is 32-8 all-time in the series. The homestand concludes with contests against Kentucky Christian on Dec. 6 and Lindsey Wilson on Dec. 12, the first matchup since 1936-37 and the Blue Raiders' first trip to The Queen City. All games are televised on ESPN+.
Close of non-conference games at NCAA tournament opponents
Austin Peay faces two opponents - Murray State and Tennessee - which advanced to the sound round of the NCAA tournament a season ago. The Governors hit the road Dec. 16 to face the Racers as a nonconference foe the first time since 1951-52. Like Austin Peay, Murray State enters its first season in a new conference (Missouri Valley) with a new but familiar face, Steve Prohm, at the helm. Prohm guided the program for four seasons (2011-15) before spending the last six as head coach at Iowa State. Austin Peay travels to Rocky Top on December 21 to face the defending SEC Tournament champion for the first time since a 74-70 Governors' win on Dec. 10, 2011, inside Thompson-Boling Arena.
Conference breakdown
NAIA (3), ACC (1), Big 10 (1), AAC (1), America East (1), Patriot League (possibly 1), Big South (possibly 1), MEAC (1), Conference USA (1), OVC (1), Missouri Valley (1), SEC (1)
Record against non-conference opponents
North Carolina State - 0-1
Purdue - 0-2
Milligan - 19-6
South Florida - 0-4
Albany - First meeting
Bucknell - First meeting (possibly)
Presbyterian - First meeting (possibly)
Howard - 1-0
Western Kentucky - 14-42
Tennessee State - 51-32
Kentucky Christian - First meeting
Lindsey Wilson - 0-1
Murray State - 45-94
Tennessee - 1-8
