Austin Peay State University (APSU) men’s basketball team is set to host Central Arkansas on February 25, 2026, at F&M Bank Arena, with significant implications for the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) championship. The game is scheduled for 19:30 CT, and a victory will allow the Governors to secure the outright ASUN Regular-Season Championship.
After clinching a share of the ASUN title last Saturday with a narrow win over Jacksonville, Austin Peay (21-6, 15-1 ASUN) is poised to achieve its first outright championship in the conference’s history. The match against Central Arkansas is particularly momentous, as it also marks Senior Day for five graduating players: Quan Lax, Matt Enright, Creighton Morisch, Anton Brookshire, and Collin Parker. They will be honored at approximately 19:00, following the women’s basketball game earlier that day.
Winning this matchup would not only solidify the top seed for the upcoming ASUN Basketball Tournament but also ensure the first undefeated home season in the history of F&M Bank Arena, where the Governors currently boast a perfect record of 12-0. The last time the program achieved an undefeated home season was in 2019 at the Winfield Dunn Center, where they finished 14-0.
The Governors are on an impressive run, having won ten consecutive games, the longest streak since the 2003-04 season when they recorded a 17-game winning streak. The recent success can be attributed to standout performances from players like Rashaud Marshall, who was named the ASUN Player and Newcomer of the Week after averaging 26.5 points and 10.5 rebounds over two games, including a career-high 27 points against North Florida.
Graduate forward Collin Parker leads the team with an average of 17.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, shooting an impressive 48/41/84 from the floor. Parker is currently enjoying an eight-game streak of double-digit scoring, which includes a remarkable run of six consecutive games with at least 20 points.
Freshman guard Zyree Collins has also made significant contributions, averaging 13.7 points per game. He recently set a record for APSU freshmen with 14 assists in a single game and leads all NCAA freshmen with an average of 2.3 steals per game. His defensive prowess will be crucial against a strong Central Arkansas team.
Central Arkansas (18-11, 13-1 ASUN) is currently in second place in the conference standings and is also vying for the title. The Bears had a ten-game winning streak before suffering a recent loss to Florida Gulf Coast. They were predicted to finish eighth in the preseason coaches’ poll and have exceeded expectations, aided by the performances of Camren Hunter, a transfer from Wisconsin who was named a Preseason All-ASUN selection.
As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, the stakes are high for Austin Peay. A win would not only clinch the outright title but would also be a significant milestone for the program, which last secured a top seed in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in 2008.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, featuring commentary from Barry Gresham and Ethan Schmidt. Fans and supporters are encouraged to attend and witness what promises to be an exciting encounter as the Governors strive to make history at F&M Bank Arena.
Following the contest against Central Arkansas, the APSU men’s basketball team will conclude the regular season against Bellarmine on February 28, 2026, before turning their attention to the ASUN Basketball Tournament, which begins on March 6, 2026.
