CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay State University basketball team is preparing to get the 2026-27 season started in just a few short days. The Govs will tip off against Lane College on Monday night in the team’s first regular-season contest.
Ahead of opening night, the United Athletic Conference released its preseason honors and poll. Notably, the Govs are coming off of one of their most successful seasons in decades, and the program returns Rashaud Marshall and Zyree Collins, two of its stars from last year.
Naturally, expectations around the program are high, and Marshall and Collins are again receiving some national recognition.
Austin Peay picked to finish 2nd in preseason poll
This is Austin Peay’s first season in the UAC. The team previously played in the ASUN, so this will be a new challenge for the Govs.
The conference’s coaches recently voted in the preseason poll, and the Govs are projected to finish second, behind only Central Arkansas. Central Arkansas received four first-place votes, while the Govs received two, and Little Rock received three. Check out the full coaches poll below:
- 1. Central Arkansas (4)
- 2. Austin Peay (2)
- 3. Little Rock (3)
- 4. Tarleton State
- 5. UT Arlington
- 6. Eastern Kentucky
- 7. Abilene Christian
- 8. (tie) North Alabama
- 8. (tie) West Georgia
Marshall named Preseason Player of the Year
Star forward Rashaud Marshall was named Preseason Player of the Year and made the Preseason All-UAC team. Marshall becomes the sixth-ever Gov to earn this honor, and the first since Terry Taylor was tabbed the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
Marshall dominated during the 2025-26 season, averaging 16.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The big man ended up being a Second Team All-ASUN selection and ASUN All-Tournament selection.
Collins named Preseason All-UAC
Point guard Zyree Collins also earned Preseason All-UAC honors. Collins averaged 13.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game as a true freshman in 2025-26. The guard earned Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year honors for his dominant showing.