Austin Peay Governors
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #128
Conference Rank: #3 Ohio Valley
Austin Peay has had two relatively successful seasons under Coach Matt Figger. This one could go either way. The Governors lose four starters and a huge amount of their depth, but return Terry Taylor and bring in a superb recruiting class. Taylor, a 6-5 junior, easily led the team with 20.5 points and 8.9 rebounds. He is a decent outside shooter and will be the clear leader of this team.
2018-19 Record: 22-11, 13-5
2018-19 Postseason: None
Coach: Matt Figger
Coach Record: 41-26 at Austin Peay, 41-26 overall
Key Departed Players:
Isaiah Hart, Guard, 3.6 ppg
Chris Porter-Bunton, Forward, 13.6 ppg
Dayton Gumm, Guard, 8.9 ppg
Jarrett Givens, Guard, 7.2 ppg
Jabari McGhee, Forward, 9.1 ppg
Richard Henderson, Forward, 1.8 ppg
Steve Harris, Guard/Forward, 10.5 ppg
Zach Glotta, Guard, 9.1 ppg
Ivan Cucak, Center, 3.1 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Terry Taylor, Junior, Guard/Forward, 20.5 ppg
Antwuan Butler, Sophomore, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Matheus Silveira, Sophomore, Center, 2.1 ppg
Eli Abaev, Junior, Guard/Forward, DNP last season
Key New Players:
Devon McCain, Freshman, Guard
Jordyn Adams, Freshman, Guard
Alec Woodard, Freshman, Guard
Carlos Paez, Freshman, Guard
Sam DeVault, Freshman, Forward
Pavle Djurisic, Freshman, Forward
Projection:
Austin Peay will reload around Taylor, but quite a few of the newcomers will have to step up. Eli Abaey will bring some experience to the mix after redshirting with an injury last season after a short stint in the junior college ranks. The only other two returning players are sophomores and all of the newcomers are freshmen. That is a young team, but there is a lot of talent here. Devon McCain and Jordyn Adams both come from Silsbee, Texas and could form the starting backcourt from day one. Adams, a 6-3 shooting guard, should help take some of the scoring load off the shoulders of Taylor. Alec Woodard and Carlos Paez will add some depth. The frontcourt will lean heavily on Abaey and sophomore center Matheus Silveira, but they will need to get some production from freshmen Sam DeVault and Pavle Djurisic as well. If the freshmen can live up to their expectations, Taylor will have the pieces around him he needs to get Austin Peay back towards the top of the OVC standings.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.2 (18th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.1 (221, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.2 (40, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 45.1 (256, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.1 (129, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 23, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.6 (170, 6)
Rebound Margin: 2.6 (96, 4)
Assists Per Game: 13.8 (146, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (78, 2)
