Austin Peay (4-5, 0-0) vs. McKendree (6-3, 1-0)
Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 | 7:00pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Dunn Center
Clarksville, TN – For the first time in 77 years, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) men’s basketball team will renew acquaintances with Illinois-based McKendree in a 7:00pm, Tuesday, December 17th contest in the Dunn Center.
In their lone other contest, the Govs prevailed 63-38.
Chances are Austin Peay State University’s high-octane offense, which remains third in the Ohio Valley Conference at 77.7 points per contest.
On the other end of the court, the Governors have seen a spike in rim protection this season, at 3.9 nine blocks per outing; the Govs, Morehead State and Eastern Illinois are the only teams among the OVC’s top-five in blocks and steals in 2019-20.
This contest represents the nonconference home finale for Austin Peay State University; the Govs will spend the next two weeks further south, for the St. Pete Shootout against Duquesne and Alabama State, before ending the pre-OVC slate at Georgia, December 30th.
About the McKendree Bearcats
With four players averaging in double figures, McKendree is not going to roll over for the Govs in the Dunn Center; Austin Peay will have to spread its defensive attention between Cleveland State transfer Aleksa Popovic, Logan Kohrmann, Byrson Bultman and Oliver Stephen as the Bearcats present a balanced attack.
In its lone other appearance against a Division I opponent this season, McKendree faced Creighton in an exhibition contest, falling 95-63. The Wildcats ultimately were outsized down low, losing the paint battle 52-30 and the rebounding edge 46-26.
Last Time Out Against McKendree
The 1941-42 Govs picked up their season’s first victory against McKendree one month to the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor–January 7th, 1942. Little is known, including location, of this contest.
Keep An Eye On
A win would be Austin Peay State University’s eighth straight home win dating back to last season, longest since an 11-game winning streak at home during the 2007-08 season.
Sophomore Antwuan Butler is averaging 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 assists over the last three games.
In their four wins, the APSU Govs are now hitting 53.5 percent (137-for-256) from the floor; in losses, the Govs are hitting just 39.1 percent from the floor.
The Austin Peay State University Govs are averaging a plus-1.0 turnover margin since the Vanderbilt contest (Nov. 20), a span of five games.
Freshman Carlos Paez is averaging 11.5 points on 52.0 percent (13-of-25) from the floor and 62.5 percent (10-of-16) from three over the last four games.
Taylor is averaging 24.2 points and 9.6 rebounds on 64.1 percent (52-for-81) from the floor, with 2.0 blocks and 1.4 steals over the last five games.
Milestone Watch
Taylor needs 24 points to pass Lenny Manning for 11th all-time in program history. Other milestones he could pass Tuesday include free throws made (needs three to pass Manning for 29th) and blocked shots (needs one to take sole possession of ninth).
He could also become the 16th player in program history with 1,000 career field goal attempts if he takes six shots and 23rd with 100 three-pointers if he makes one from beyond the arc.
APSU Tickets
Governors Courtside Seating returns for the 2019-20 season. Fans can contact the Austin Peay State University Athletics Ticket Office for courtside seating availability and pricing. The VIPeay Hoops Experience, available to Black Tie Monocle Society members and above, also returns for 2019-20 after a successful debut last season.
For more information on joining the Governors in the Dunn Center this winter, to secure season tickets or to become involved with the Monocle Society, call 931.221.PEAY.
APSU 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.
