Saturday, November 15th, 8:05 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Roberts Stadium (11,600) -- Evansville, Indiana. Television: None. Home Record: Austin Peay 0-0, Evansville 0-0. Away Record: Austin Peay 0-0, Evansville 0-0. Neutral Record: Austin Peay 0-0, Evansville 0-0. Conference Record: Austin Peay 0-0, Evansville 0-0. Series Record: Evansville leads, 15-6.

GAME NOTES: The reigning Ohio Valley Conference champion Austin Peay Governors will open the new campaign on the road when they take on the Evansville Purple Aces this evening at Roberts Stadium. The Governors ran through the OVC with a 16-4 ledger this past season, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Overall Austin Peay finished with 24 wins, but duplicating that total this year will be difficult, as coach David Loos returns just two starters. As for the Purple Aces, they did not enjoy much success this past year, collecting just nine wins. It was an inauspicious start to the coaching era of Marty Simmons at Evansville, as the team tallied three wins in Missouri Valley play. Evansville does return a good portion of talent, so the team does have the ability to reach the .500 plateau this year. With respect to the all-time series between the two schools, the Purple Aces hold a solid 15-6 edge over Austin Peay.

After terrorizing the OVC this past season, the Govs come into this season opener with some holes that need to be filled. Some major talent from a year ago is gone, and the frontcourt could be a concern. Drake Reed is the only legitimate threat, coming off a season in which he posted 14.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg. However, other than Reed, the team will need to find a suitable replacement for Fernandez Lockett, which will be a tough task indeed. Wes Channels will play a huge role in the backcourt this season, as the guard was an outstanding bench player last year. Channels scored double figures 18 times in a reserve role this past season, and now that the junior is in the starting lineup, expect even better numbers.

For the Purple Aces to get past the terrible showing from a year ago, the team needs to open tonight with a victory. Evansville only grabbed nine wins last season, but all five starters return, giving the Purple Aces a strong chance to improve. Leading the charge is 6-4 guard Shy Ely, who rebounded from a poor sophomore campaign to rank fifth in the league in scoring with 14.4 ppg last season. Jason Holsinger will team up with Ely to form one of the better backcourt tandems in the conference. The 5-11 guard led the MVC in minutes, averaging 35.5 per game, and he is a solid scorer (12.3 ppg) as well as passer (4.6 apg). Among the notable front line players is Pieter van Tongeren, a 6-11 center that started 30 games as a freshman and posted 5.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg. Juco transfer Nate Garner made 23 starts in his first season with Evansville, averaging 5.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg, and he figures to play a big role.

The Govs are the defending OVC champs, but they will be in a dog fight tonight against a hungry team looking to rebound. The Purple Aces will look to begin the year off on the right foot, and should grab a win against a talented Austin Peay team.

Predicted Outcome

Evansville 67, Austin Peay 64