Lane College vs Austin Peay prediction: Rashaud Marshall and Zyree Collins anchor a rebuilt Austin Peay opener
Austin Peay opens its first UAC season against Lane College with only two familiar faces, so this game is a first look at Corey Gipson's new rotation.
- Austin Peay should control a home opener against a non-Division I visitor, with the real interest in how the newcomers fit around two returners.
- Watch Rashaud Marshall around the rim; he shot 65.6% from the field last season and never attempted a three.
- No spread or total has been posted. Last season's Govs went 22-9 and ranked 51st of 365 in net efficiency.
Two returners, a new team
Austin Peay opens its 96th season on a Monday night in Clarksville, and the roster bears little resemblance to the one that went 22-9 last season. Rashaud Marshall and Zyree Collins are the only players from the 2025-26 roster coming back. Collin Parker ran out of eligibility, and Tate McCubbin was among six players who entered the transfer portal. Last season's team numbers describe a group that no longer exists, so they are a weak guide here.
Corey Gipson, in his fourth season, rebuilt with a recruiting class that includes three-star signees Bradley Floyd, Talon Todd and Traymaine Belanger, plus international additions Felipe Minzer of Argentina and Birkir Eythorsson of Iceland. Minzer played his first college game in the Oct. 11 exhibition against Evansville, a 79-74 win the Govs sealed with a 13-0 closing run.
Marshall inside, Collins at the point
Marshall is the efficiency engine. He scored 16.3 points per game last season on 65.6% shooting, all of it inside the arc, with an offensive rating (points produced per 100 possessions) of 135.3. Against a smaller-college frontcourt, he should have room to work.
Collins sets the tone on the other end. He averaged 13.5 points and 4.3 assists last season, and his 2.1 steals per game fit a defence that ranked 14th of 365 in steal rate. Last season's Govs forced turnovers and played fast: they played at 70.7 possessions per 40 minutes, 48th-fastest in Division I.
What to watch
- How quickly the freshmen and international newcomers earn minutes alongside Marshall and Collins.
- Whether the full-court pressure carries over with a mostly new roster.
- Lane's lineup. We hold no data on the Dragons, coached by Harold Rayford, beyond a 59-52 loss to Benedict in last February's SIAC tournament.
- Tip time, which had not been announced as of Oct. 14.
Key players
- Rashaud Marshall (Austin Peay): Shot 65.6% from the field last season for 16.3 points per game without attempting a three.
- Zyree Collins (Austin Peay): Averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game last season.
Numbers that matter
| Last season's record | 22-9 | Built largely by players who have since left, so it says little about this roster. |
|---|---|---|
| Steal rate rank, last season | 14th | Gipson's pressure defence was among the best in the country at taking the ball away. |
| Marshall offensive rating, last season | 135.3 | The most efficient returning scorer, and the focal point inside. |
| Exhibition score vs. Evansville | 79-74 | The new group's only game so far, decided by a 13-0 closing run. |
Lane College vs Austin Peay: quick answers
When is Lane College vs Austin Peay?
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.