Austin Peay State University’s basketball season was cut short after a 90-83 loss to Queens University on March 7 in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament semifinal. However, the Governors had a successful season, finishing first in the ASUN with a 22-9 overall record and a 15-3 ASUN record.
The Governors shared a piece of the regular-season ASUN championship with the University of Central Arkansas. The Governors’ faithful also broke the F&M Bank Arena attendance record not once but twice this season. The first time was Feb. 4, 2026, when the University of Lipscomb came to Clarksville, and 3,397 fans decided to cheer on the Governors. They then broke it again when the University of North Alabama came to the vault on Feb. 7, 2026. The Lions witnessed 4,136 Governors fans in full force, setting a record for the largest crowd at F&M Bank Arena.
After the season concluded, first-year athletic director Jordan Harmon decided to extend head coach Corey Gipson through the 2029-30 season. Corey Gipson is a face that the Governors’ faithful seemingly get behind easily. Gipson is an Austin Peay alumnus who helped take the Governors to the NCAA Tournament during his time as a player. Gipson has also had success in his first three seasons as the Governors’ head coach, making deep runs in the ASUN tournament all three seasons.
After the announcement of Gipson’s return, key players Zyree Collins, Rashaud Marshall and Quan Lax all announced they will be returning next season. Collins and Marshall are players fans should be excited to see return, with the opportunity to see how Collins grows after a great freshman season and Marshall after a dominant junior season.
With the transfer portal being a huge deal in this era, you never know who will leave and who will stay, but so far, the Governors are losing sophomore forward Tate McCubbin and Hansel Emmanuel to the portal. McCubbin entered shortly after the season ended, and Emmanuel entered midway through the season.
Throughout the offseason, coach Gipson will bring in more players and begin building his team for the 2026-27 season. Gipson will also look to finally get over the hump and win the ASUN championship, securing a ticket to March Madness.
