Austin Peay State University’s men’s basketball program has released its 2026‑27 non‑conference slate, a plan that pairs nine home contests at F&M Bank Arena with a demanding road circuit designed to test the team’s depth and resilience.
Home Opener and Early Tests
The season will open with a home game against Lane on November 2, a matchup that marks the third straight home opener under Coach Corey Gipson and extends the program’s all‑time home opener record to 69‑26. The opener follows two exhibition contests — first against Evansville on October 11 and then versus IU Indy on October 27 — giving the squad a chance to fine‑tune before the first official test.
A home‑and‑home series with Kennesaw State begins on November 6, while the team travels to Kansas to meet Wichita State on November 14. These early road games introduce four opponents — Lane, Livingstone, Seattle and West Florida — that the Governors have never faced before, adding a layer of novelty to the schedule.
A Grueling Road Trip
The Governors will embark on a journey that tops 15,300 miles, the most ever logged in a single season for the program. The longest leg is a 4,000‑plus‑mile round‑trip flight to Seattle, where the team will meet a new opponent on the West Coast. Earlier in the month, Air Force will visit Clarksville on December 10, marking the first time a military institute has played in the city.
The non‑conference slate wraps up with a New Year’s Eve showdown against Queens on December 31 and a January 2 game versus West Florida. The Governors will then shift focus to United Athletic Conference play, opening against Eastern Kentucky on January 6. The UAC tournament is slated for March 10‑13, followed by the NCAA Opening Round on March 16‑17.
Historically, Austin Peay has won ten consecutive home openers since 2016 and averages a 40‑point margin in those games. The program’s all‑time record against the opponents on this schedule stands at 184‑164, with the most victories — 69 — coming against Eastern Kentucky.
Coach Gipson emphasized that the schedule is crafted to expand the team’s geographic footprint while preserving a strong home winning percentage. By confronting new rivals and testing endurance on the road, the Governors aim to build momentum heading into conference play and pursue a deep run in both the UAC tournament and the NCAA postseason.