CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – We are just over a week out from the start of Austin Peay’s 2026 football season. All of Stacheville is rightfully excited to see the Govs take the field at Fortera Stadium. But we shouldn’t forget that basketball season is just two months away.
The men’s basketball team had a magical season in 2025-26. The program picked up its first regular-season championship in almost 20 years and secured its most conference wins in a season since 2007-08. The good news kept coming after the season too, as star players Zyree Collins and Rashaud Marshall announced their intention to stay with the Govs.
“Rashaud Marshall and Zyree Collins are among the best players in the country,” head coach Corey Gipson said during a recent sit-down with Clarksville Now. “Not just best in the conference or best at their position – best in the country.”
It’s hard to argue with the coach there. Collins won the ASUN Freshman of the Year Award, and both he and Marshall were All-ASUN selections. Marshall averaged 16.3 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, while Collins averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals.
It would not be surprising to see Marshall win UAC Preseason Player of the Year honors, while Collins should be a lock to make an All-Defensive team. Not many college basketball teams kept even one of their most productive players, and the Govs kept two.
Govs pair returning stars with elite recruiting class
Having two returning stars is big enough, but the Govs didn’t stop there. This coaching staff hit the recruiting trail hard, and their efforts paid off. The Govs currently have the No. 57 recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports. This is not only easily the highest-rated class in the conference, but it’s the highest-rated class in program history.
This is going to be a young team, but having Collins and Marshall around will be a huge boost.
“We have great leadership that never left,” Gipson explained. “I’m excited about growing with this team, with this staff. I know we’re going to see a championship effort every single day. We’ve had a great summer of collective teamwork.”
Gipson did not single out any incoming freshmen; instead, the coach insisted that all will contribute.
As for the transfer portal, the Govs were not quite as active because they didn’t need to be. The two outside additions were Shamarrie Hugie from Marshall and Chuck Love III from Loyola Chicago. “They fit like a glove. Both of them,” Gipson said.
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How will Govs handle conference transition?
In case you didn’t know, the Govs officially moved from the ASUN to the UAC this summer. As a result, APSU will play teams like Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and Little Rock instead of Florida Gulf Coast, Stetson, and North Florida.
“The main difference is, we’re just going to be taking more road trips to Texas instead of Florida,” Gipson said. “The UAC is a tougher, more physical conference, while the ASUN is more of a finesse conference.”
The Govs’ inaugural UAC conference schedule was recently released, and they will kick off UAC play with a home game against Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 6. The team will then hit the road for contests at North Alabama and at UT Arlington.
Playing several new teams and traveling to new venues will be tough, but the Govs are ready for it. Gipson doesn’t like to dwell on last year, but as he said back in March, the Govs have “unfinished business” in the 2026-27 season.
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