CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team is one of the hottest teams in college basketball.

The team has won 15 of its last 16 games overall and sits atop the ASUN standings with a 19-6 overall record and a 13-1 mark in conference play. The regular season is winding down, and the Govs recently became the first ASUN team to clinch a first-round bye in the conference tournament.

Austin Peay went undefeated last week, knocking off Queens on the road and beating Bellarmine at home.

There is still plenty of work to be done, though. The Central Arkansas Bears are just as hot as the Govs and are now just one game behind for the conference lead. As a result, the Govs need to keep stacking up the wins before they face the Bears at F&M Bank Arena on Feb. 25.

This week, the Govs hit the road for two games in Jacksonville, Florida. The first matchup is Thursday night against the North Florida Ospreys and the second is on Saturday against the Jacksonville Dolphins. Let’s dive into the preview for both of these conference matchups.

Austin Peay defeated North Florida 102- 83 during the opening game of the Atlantic Sun Conference season Thursday on Gary Mathews Court in F&M Bank Arena. Photos by Robert Smith | APSU Athletics
Austin Peay defeated North Florida 102-83 during the opening game of the Atlantic Sun Conference season on Jan. 1, 2026, on Gary Mathews Court in F&M Bank Arena. Photos by Robert Smith | APSU Athletics

Thursday, Feb. 19: APSU at North Florida

It has not been an ideal season for the North Florida Ospreys. The team enters this week with a 6-21 overall record and a 4-10 mark in conference play.

One of those 10 conference losses was to the Governors in early January. That was the first conference game for either team, and the Govs came away with a convincing 102-83 victory. Collin Parker had 26 points and eight rebounds for the Govs, while Ja’Corey Robinson chipped in 18 points off the bench.

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Overall, the Govs are 8-3 all-time against the Ospreys and have won six in a row in the series. Notably, the Govs have scored at least 90 points in each of their last five matchups with the Ospreys.

It’s imperative that Austin Peay doesn’t get distracted by North Florida’s record. The Ospreys would love nothing more than to play spoiler against the Govs.

Austin Peay defeated Jacksonville 71-68 to remain undefeated at home this season during Atlantic Sun Conference action Saturday on Gary Mathews Court in F&M Bank Arena. Photos by Robert Smith | APSU Athletics
Austin Peay defeated Jacksonville 71-68 to remain undefeated at home this season during Atlantic Sun Conference action on Jan. 3, 2026, on Gary Mathews Court in F&M Bank Arena. Photos by Robert Smith | APSU Athletics

Saturday, Feb. 21: APSU at Jacksonville

After playing at North Florida, the Govs will make a short trip down the road to take on the Jacksonville Dolphins. Like the Ospreys, the Dolphins have had a bit of a disappointing season.

Entering this week, the Dolphins are 10-17 overall and 5-9 in conference play. The Dolphins also have a loss to the Govs already, as they fell 71-68 in Clarksville at the beginning of January. As the score indicates, though, the Dolphins gave the Govs a battle for all 40 minutes.

In that first matchup, Zyree Collins had one of his best offensive performances of the season, finishing with 23 points to go along with three rebounds and three steals.

Overall, Austin Peay owns a 1-3 record all-time against Jacksonville. The Govs had lost three in a row before knocking the Dolphins off last month. This game, as well as the North Florida matchup, should help prepare the Govs for the conference tournament in March, which also takes place in Jacksonville.

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