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HomeNewsGovs lineup to be reshuffled in aftermath of Campbell injury

Govs lineup to be reshuffled in aftermath of Campbell injury

APSU Men’s Basketball
Campbell injury forces lineup restructuring

Austin Peay State University GovernorsClarksville, TN – Austin Peay will unveil a new starting lineup 7:30pm, Saturday, against Fontbonne.

It certainly is not what head coach Dave Loos had in mind, but those plans changed Wednesday when Preseason All-OVC forward Anthony Campbell, while working in a non-contact drill, crumpled to the court. Trainer Joni Johnson, when she arrived at Campbell’s side, almost knew immediately the news was not good. Tests and an MRI revealed Campbell had torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee. His season is finished.

APSU Men's Basketball's forward Anthony Campbell. (Courtesy: Robert Smith/The Leaf-Chronicle)
APSU Men's Basketball's forward Anthony Campbell. (Courtesy: Robert Smith/The Leaf-Chronicle)

Now the Governors must regroup. Not only must the Govs shake off Campbell’s injury but as well a disappointing home-opening loss to Lipscomb, Tuesday night.

Josh Terry, who opened the season as a starter in the backcourt with Caleb Brown, will take Campbell’s position at the three spot, or small forward position. After a hip injury slowed Terry for a week-plus, he has been back providing meaningful minutes to the Governors, helping defensively in the Govs’ win at Eastern Illinois and providing double-digit scoring in the Govs’ home loss to Lipscomb.

Josh TerryBut the trickle-down minutes are the ones Loos and staff will be dissecting. Justin Blake, a starter a year ago during January and February, again will have a crack at offering more meaningful playing time. He has been limited to less than 10 minutes in most games so far this season. Blake could offer the perimeter performance that Campbell provided. However, Blake also must find a way to fit into the Govs’ defrensive scheme.

In addition, the Govs must get more reliable performances from the inside as well. Junior Melvin Baker, because of foul trouble, has been unable to stay on the floor long enough to develop any sort of flow. Freshman Will Triggs has shown flashes of potential. Starting center John Fraley will seek to develop more consistency in his game.

Justin BlakeThe Govs will have two games–against Fontbonne and Memphis–to work on restructuring things before welcoming Eastern Kentucky next Saturday, and Morehead State, December 21st.

Fontbonne is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the same league as Westminster, one of the Govs exhibition foes.

The Griffins come in at 2-5 overall. Saliou Dioum leads Fontbonne in scoring at 11.7 ppg while pulling down 6.1 rpg while Jahmaili Thomas comes in at 10.9  ppg and 6.6 ppg. The Griffins are outrebounding the opposition by a +7.0 rebounds per game.

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