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The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team represents Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament seven times, with a combined record of 2-8. The Governors played in the Ohio Valley Conference for 61 seasons before moving to the ASUN Conference in 2022–23. The team's head coach is Corey Gipson, and the 2022–23 season marked their last at Winfield Dunn Center before moving to the new F&M Bank Arena in downtown Clarksville.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team name | Austin Peay Governors |
| University | Austin Peay State University |
| Location | Clarksville, Tennessee |
| Conference | ASUN Conference |
| Former conference | Ohio Valley Conference |
| Head coach | Corey Gipson |
| NCAA Division I appearances | Seven (officially, six) |
| NCAA Division I record | 2-8 (1-6 without vacated 1973 appearance) |
| NCAA Division II appearances | Four |
| NCAA Division II record | 3-6 |
| National Invitation Tournament appearances | Two |
| National Invitation Tournament record | 1-2 |
| College Basketball Invitational appearances | One |
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What You'll Learn
Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team represents Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The team plays in the ASUN Conference, having moved there in 2022 after 61 seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Governors' head coach is Corey Gipson, and the team plays its home games at the new F&M Bank Arena in downtown Clarksville.
The Austin Peay Governors have a long history in college basketball and have qualified for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament seven times, most recently in 2016. The team has also appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament four times, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) twice, and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) once. Their combined record across these tournaments is 6-16, with their best performance coming in the 1973 NCAA tournament with a record of 1-2. However, this appearance was vacated by the NCAA.
The Governors have a well-known rivalry with Murray State, a school located just 65 miles away. The two schools consistently vied for Ohio Valley Conference championships and were featured in ESPN The Magazine in February 2009. However, with the recent conference realignment, the two rivals now compete in separate conferences, with Murray State joining the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team has produced notable players such as Chris Horton, who went on to play for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. The team continues to compete in the ASUN Conference and aims to return to the NCAA Division I tournament.
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NCAA Division I tournament appearances
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team represents Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The team began playing in the ASUN Conference in 2022–23, marking a shift from their previous 61 seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Austin Peay has an impressive record of qualifying for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. They have made it to the tournament seven times, with their most recent appearance being in 2016. This qualification was secured by winning the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament.
The Governors' head coach, Corey Gipson, has been leading the team since the 2022–23 season. This season also marked their last at the Winfield Dunn Center before moving to the new F&M Bank Arena in downtown Clarksville, which opened in July 2023.
The Austin Peay Governors have a rich history in NCAA Division I sports, with their football and baseball teams also competing at this level. The football team has experienced success in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), while the baseball team has made the NCAA Division I baseball tournament six times, reaching the Regional Final twice.
The Governors' nickname traditionally applied to men's teams, while women's teams were known as the "Lady Govs." However, with the team's move to the ASUN Conference, there may be further updates to their branding and nicknames.
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The team's move to ASUN Conference
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team represents Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The team has played NCAA Division I men's basketball, having qualified for the tournament seven times, most recently in 2016.
In September 2021, the Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept an invitation to join the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). The University's Athletics Department had been a part of the Ohio Valley Conference since 1962. The move to the ASUN Conference officially took place on July 1, 2022, marking a new era for Austin Peay athletics.
The decision to join the ASUN Conference was driven by the potential for growth and enhancement of the University's brand and footprint. Gerald Harrison, APSU's Director of Athletics, expressed excitement about elevating the profile of the athletics department and increasing brand visibility. The ASUN's broad reach, with over 10 million television homes and 45,000 Austin Peay alumni within its seven-state footprint, was expected to play a significant role in this endeavour.
The move to the ASUN Conference also presented opportunities for expansion and improvement in both athletic and academic spheres. APSU President Mike Licari highlighted the benefits of entering new markets, boosting recruiting capabilities, and better engaging the university's alumni base. The collaboration with ASUN signalled a step towards a more competitive and dynamic future for Austin Peay.
In addition to Austin Peay's transition to the ASUN Conference, the university also announced its intention to move to the new F&M Bank Arena in downtown Clarksville following the 2022-23 season. This relocation further emphasised the university's commitment to elevating its athletics program and providing a modern and enhanced experience for its teams and supporters.
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Rivalry with Murray State
Austin Peay State University's men's basketball team has a long and intense rivalry with Murray State University, a rivalry that has come to define both programs and their histories. The rivalry is often referred to as the "Battle of the Border," reflecting the proximity of the two universities, which are located in neighboring states, Tennessee and Kentucky. The two schools first met on the basketball court in 1941 and have been competing ever since, with the rivalry intensifying over the years.
The rivalry is driven by the similarities between the two programs and the consistent competitiveness of both teams. Both Austin Peay and Murray State are public universities with strong athletic programs and a history of success in basketball. They have often competed for conference championships and national recognition, with the rivalry games frequently impacting the conference standings and postseason aspirations. The proximity of the schools, just over an hour's drive apart, also contributes to the intensity as they compete for regional dominance and bragging rights.
The rivalry is highlighted by memorable moments and dramatic games that have swung in favor of both teams over the years. One notable moment was in 2018 when Austin Peay ended Murray State's 34-game home winning streak with a 76-75 overtime victory. This win marked a turning point for Austin Peay, as they went on to win the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. Another memorable game was the 2022 OVC Tournament semifinal, where Murray State defeated Austin Peay 82-68, avenging their only regular-season loss and advancing to the championship game.
The rivalry is not just limited to the men's basketball teams but extends to other sports and even academic competitions. The two universities often compete across a range of fields, fostering a sense of competition and pride among students, alumni, and fans. The "Battle of the Border" trophy is awarded to the university that accumulates the most points based on head-to-head matchups in various sports, adding another layer of intensity to the rivalry.
The Austin Peay-Murray State rivalry has been a significant part of both universities' athletic programs and has helped shape the identity of both schools. The consistent competitiveness of the teams and the proximity of the universities have fueled this rivalry, creating an intense and passionate competition that resonates with fans, students, and alumni alike. The rivalry continues to evolve, with each game and interaction adding to the rich history between Austin Peay and Murray State.
As the rivalry progresses, both programs continue to push each other to new heights, fostering an environment of excellence and competitiveness. The "Battle of the Border" has become an iconic part of college sports in the region, with the rivalry games often attracting large crowds and passionate supporters. The future of this rivalry promises more thrilling moments, dramatic games, and a continued impact on the legacy of both Austin Peay and Murray State.
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Notable players, e.g. Chris Horton
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team represents Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The team plays in the ASUN Conference, having moved there in 2022 after 61 seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Governors have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament seven times, most recently in 2016. Their overall record in the tournament is 2-8, with one of their appearances being vacated by the NCAA.
One notable player for the Austin Peay Governors is Chris Horton. Horton was born in 1994 and currently plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. Another player mentioned by name is Eli Abaev, an American-Israeli player for Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
Some other players who have performed well against Austin Peay are Jacari Lane, who scored 31 points to lead North Alabama over the Governors; Jacob Ognacevic, who scored 28 points for Lipscomb in a victory over Austin Peay; and Jack Karasinski, who scored 23 points for Bellarmine in a win against the Governors.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team plays in the NCAA Division I.
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team plays in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The Austin Peay Governors have qualified for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament seven times, most recently in 2016.
The Austin Peay Governors men's basketball team plays in the ASUN Conference.
Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville, Tennessee.
