(Warning: cheap writer's trick ahead)
Dictionary.com has six definitions of the word "governor". The first is the most obvious, and also the one that fits the Austin Peay mascot.
1. the executive head of a state in the U.S.
This makes sense, as the Clarksville, TN school is named in honor the man who served as the Volunteer State's CEO between the years of 1923-1927 (fun fact: he signed the law that brought us the Scopes Monkey Trial). But when considering the university's basketball team, I find something of note in the following definition as well.
5. Machinery. a device for maintaining uniform speed regardless of changes of load, as by regulating the supply of fuel or working fluid.
Governor fans are definitely concerned with regulating the supply of working fluid. Readers of this site may already know of my juvenile love for the "Let's Go Peay!" chant. Maintaining uniform speed regardless of changes in load might describe the basketball team's relentless march through the Ohio Valley Conference, as well. They've gone 8-1, their only loss coming at Murray State. The Racers sit two games back and are the nearest competition for the Peay at this time.
APSU's early losses are mostly forgivable, as they played the buy-game shuffle: at Vanderbilt, at Utah State, at Memphis. As far as at Evansville goes, they might have a little 'splainin' to do on that one. Overall, however, the Govs played a tough schedule, and the experience gained seems to be paying off in league play.
Clarksville is home to a remarkably balanced offensive attack. Four players average double-figure scoring, led by townie legend Drake Reed (pictured) and his nearly sixteen points per. Several other options play significant minutes off the bench. Coach Dave Loos is a fixture at APSU - he's been there for nearly two decades and has been named OVC Coach of the Year four times (and counting? Someone ought to name a building after that guy).
The Governors play a couple of televised games coming up - at Jacksonville State tonight on ESPNU, and at Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) on the 29th. If they keep pouring on the wins, only one thing can stop them from taking their rightful place in the NCAA dance: the OVC tournament. The Governors had 20 wins coming into last season's OVC championship game, but went cold at the wrong time, letting the auto-bid slip away to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Will the Govs hold serve this year and get an early-March shot at a money program? I don't know, but I'll be watching to find out, starting tonight.
4 comments:
Trenton Hassell enjoys to Peay.....I think it would be cool to put in a 'famous alum' for some of these lesser known schools. Just a thought.
That's not a bad idea, though I think I'll reserve it until time for tournament capsules. Then you really know who you're dealing with.
OVC Tournament should a ton of fun this year
I was at the Austin Peay/Belmont game back in November and the Govs shot something ridiculous like 59% that night. They were a really fun team to watch, but got sloppy enough that they almost let the Bruins come back from a 15+ point deficit late in the game.
Also, the "Let's Go, Peay!" from the fans was hilarious. Your love of the chant is understandable.
Post a Comment