Austin Peay Governors
2020-2021 Overall Rank: #120
Conference Rank: #2 Ohio Valley
The Ohio Valley Conference has been all about Belmont and Murray State recently, but Austin Peay will look to add another name to that list in 2020-2021 and beyond. The Governors have had a lot of success under Coach Matt FIgger and have finished third or fourth in the conference in each of his three seasons in charge. For the first time in program history, Austin Peay had two players declare early for the NBA Draft. Fans had to sweat it out over the spring in hopes that Terry Taylor and Jordyn Adams would return to Austin Peay. Fortunately for the Governors, both are coming back and that puts this team right at the top of the extremely tough OVC.
2019-20 Record: 21-12, 14-4
Coach: Matt Figger
Coach Record: 62-38 at Austin Peay, 62-38 overall
Key Departed Players:
Eli Abaev, Forward, 7.9 ppg
Antwuan Butler, Guard, 6.4 ppg
Evan Hinson, Guard/Forward, 5.6 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Terry Taylor, Senior, Forward, 21.8 ppg
Jordyn Adams, Sophomore, Guard, 17.4 ppg
Carlos Paez, Sophomore, Guard, 6.5 ppg
Reginald Gee, Senior, Guard, 9.3 ppg
Alec Woodard, Sophomore, Guard, 4.3 ppg
Sita Conteh, Senior, Forward, 3.1 ppg
Matheus Silveira, Junior, Center, 1.8 ppg
Key New Players:
Devon McCain, RS Freshman, Guard
Ibrahima Jarjou, Freshman, Forward
Tai’reon Joseph, Freshman, Guard
Corbin Merritt, Forward, Transfer from Oklahoma, not eligible
Merdy Mongozi, Junior, Center, JC Transfer
Michael Peake, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from Georgia, not eligible
Elton Walker, Junior, Guard/Forward, JC Transfer
Projection:
Taylor and Adams did everything for this team last season. Taylor averaged 21.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks. The 6-5 wing will need to show that he can hit three-pointers more consistently this season if he wants a future in the NBA, but obviously he can score in bunches. Adams, a 6-3 sophomore, is more consistent and prolific from long range, but he also proved that he can score from anywhere on the floor. On the year he tallied 17.4 points per game and Adams is only getting better with a year of experience under his belt. Carlos Paez is the other returning starter. He dished out a team high 3.5 assists and added 6.5 points. A healthy Reginald Gee will add yet another scoring threat on the perimeter. Due to an injury, Gee only played in six games last season after transferring in from Alabama State. The 6-3 graduate transfer was the top scorer for the Hornets in each of his last two seasons with the team and averaged 9.3 points in those six games with APSU last year. Having a strong rebounding wing like Taylor certainly gives Coach Figger some options, but the Governors still need to find a big man to eat up some minutes and space in the paint. Sita Conteh and Matheus Silveira played limited minutes last season and junior college transfer Merdy Mongozi will add a bit more experience. If the frontcourt can manage to help out on the glass and play some decent defense, Austin Peay will be right in the mix for their first conference title since 2007-2008.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.3 (42nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.5 (235, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.9 (60, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 46.8 (333, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.8 (223, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.6 (106, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.6 (150, 3)
Rebound Margin: 2.9 (92, 4)
Assists Per Game: 13.2 (177, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.8 (155, 4)
