CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) After finishing a difficult non-conference road slate, Austin Peay State University men’s basketball returns to the Dunn Center for an extended stay, beginning with a 7 p.m., Tuesday, contest against Troy.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two, with Austin Peay currently unbeaten against the Trojans. The Govs are 37-17 all-time against Sun Belt foes, with a winning record against Troy, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, South Alabama, Arkansas State and Little Rock.
The Govs continue to be among the nation’s best on the defensive end of the floor. Austin Peay has forced 20.2 turnovers per game (sixth nationally), securing 9.5 steals (15th) and limited opponents to 68.5 points per night (99th); that bodes well against a Troy team with a turnover margin (+0.1) barely in the positive and ranked 240th nationally at 5.8 steals per game.
Scouting the Trojans
The defending Sun Belt Tournament champions, Troy emerged from a sixth-place regular season finish last season to race past Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Texas State to secure their second tournament title since joining the Sun Belt in 2005. Back from last season’s 22-win team are guard Wesley Person (Troy’s all-time leader in three-point field goals) and forward Jordon Varnado (currently out with a foot injury), while Alex Hicks has filled in for the injured Varnado, scoring 16 and adding 10 boards against Arkansas, Saturday.
Tuesday’s contest kicks off a six-game homestand for the Govs, Austin Peay’s longest since the 2004-05 season. It also will usher in the conference slate, with the first four OVC games at the Dunn Center.