To beat Tigers, APSU needs to control boards
Rebounds will be at a premium tonight as Austin Peay goes for its third straight win against Tennessee State at the Dunn Center.
If he had played the required amount of games, Austin Peay's John Fraley would lead the OVC in rebounds per game with 8.8. His teammates in the post, Melvin Baker and Will Triggs, aren't too far behind.
The Tigers are the only team with a better rebounding margin than APSU in conference play, and coach Dave Loos said they're one of the best rebounding teams the Govs will play all season. Austin Peay will have to work extra hard to prevent second-chance points against the Tigers, whose front line features three players listed at 6-foot-8 or taller.
"When you play TSU and you play (Tennessee) Tech, it's similar, because they really crash the offensive boards," Loos said. "So that's big for us."
TSU is led by Robert Covington, who is fourth in the conference with 17.6 points per game, to go along with his 7.8 rebounds. Loos said the Tigers, particularly their versatile 6-9 junior, could provide some matchup problems for Austin Peay.
"I think he's a guy that you've got to get some help on," Loos said. "You can't just say, 'hey, we're going to guard him one-on-one,' because he's pretty good."
Baker said even though he's not used to guarding the other team's best player, he's looking forward to the challenge of guarding the Tigers star. Triggs remembered Covington well from last season when he recorded double-doubles in both meetings with the Govs.
"He's just an all-around player," Triggs said. "He can play inside and out. He's athletic and quick."
Loos said his team has had trouble stopping the drive from opponents, and the Tigers have the athletes to take advantage if that trend continues. Baker said he'll have to be smart about deciding when to help while he's guarding Covington, who shoots 45 percent from 3-point range, but Triggs said the Govs' post players will still play an important role in preventing the Tigers' penetration.
"They're a real good team that can get to the basket," Triggs said. "But I think if we just step up and take a couple charges, get in the lane, or just contest shots I think we'll be fine."
The Govs are second in the OVC with 3.8 blocks per game, but second-to-last in scoring defense and defensive field goal percentage. Loos had another reason to be concerned about his team's defensive and rebounding efforts, since it's APSU's third game in five days.
Josh Terry said after Saturday's win against Jacksonville State he's feeling better following an ice bath and some time spent off his weary legs, but Loos said the senior guard who often defends the opponent's best player on the perimeter still seemed a little tired. Justin Blake and Thomas Greer have both spent some time filling in on the wing during the Govs' four-game homestand.
"I don't think either one of them has played badly," Loos said. "But they haven't been particularly productive, either."
Tennessee State is coming off two consecutive home wins and won at South Carolina earlier this season, but the Tigers are 0-3 on the road so far in OVC play. Despite their dismal overall record, the Govs are 4-3 at home this season.
Rebounds will be at a premium tonight as Austin Peay goes for its third straight win against Tennessee State at the Dunn Center.
If he had played the required amount of games, Austin Peay's John Fraley would lead the OVC in rebounds per game with 8.8. His teammates in the post, Melvin Baker and Will Triggs, aren't too far behind.
The Tigers are the only team with a better rebounding margin than APSU in conference play, and coach Dave Loos said they're one of the best rebounding teams the Govs will play all season. Austin Peay will have to work extra hard to prevent second-chance points against the Tigers, whose front line features three players listed at 6-foot-8 or taller.
"When you play TSU and you play (Tennessee) Tech, it's similar, because they really crash the offensive boards," Loos said. "So that's big for us."
TSU is led by Robert Covington, who is fourth in the conference with 17.6 points per game, to go along with his 7.8 rebounds. Loos said the Tigers, particularly their versatile 6-9 junior, could provide some matchup problems for Austin Peay.
"I think he's a guy that you've got to get some help on," Loos said. "You can't just say, 'hey, we're going to guard him one-on-one,' because he's pretty good."
Baker said even though he's not used to guarding the other team's best player, he's looking forward to the challenge of guarding the Tigers star. Triggs remembered Covington well from last season when he recorded double-doubles in both meetings with the Govs.
"He's just an all-around player," Triggs said. "He can play inside and out. He's athletic and quick."
Loos said his team has had trouble stopping the drive from opponents, and the Tigers have the athletes to take advantage if that trend continues. Baker said he'll have to be smart about deciding when to help while he's guarding Covington, who shoots 45 percent from 3-point range, but Triggs said the Govs' post players will still play an important role in preventing the Tigers' penetration.
"They're a real good team that can get to the basket," Triggs said. "But I think if we just step up and take a couple charges, get in the lane, or just contest shots I think we'll be fine."
The Govs are second in the OVC with 3.8 blocks per game, but second-to-last in scoring defense and defensive field goal percentage. Loos had another reason to be concerned about his team's defensive and rebounding efforts, since it's APSU's third game in five days.
Josh Terry said after Saturday's win against Jacksonville State he's feeling better following an ice bath and some time spent off his weary legs, but Loos said the senior guard who often defends the opponent's best player on the perimeter still seemed a little tired. Justin Blake and Thomas Greer have both spent some time filling in on the wing during the Govs' four-game homestand.
"I don't think either one of them has played badly," Loos said. "But they haven't been particularly productive, either."
Tennessee State is coming off two consecutive home wins and won at South Carolina earlier this season, but the Tigers are 0-3 on the road so far in OVC play. Despite their dismal overall record, the Govs are 4-3 at home this season.
