Mid-major Basketball: Austin Peay vs Western Kentucky a major 2020-21 matchup

There are plenty of quality mid-major basketball matchups to watch out for in the upcoming season. But could the best come from a pair of lesser-known teams?

In the mid-major basketball world, getting an at-large bid can be rare. That’s especially true for the conferences not named the Atlantic 10, Mountain West and WCC, with the smaller ones typically one-bid leagues. So for the teams in the 20 or so conferences with high expectations and a shot at a special season, they’ll need to get some huge non-conference resume-builders to have a real shot.

Taking an early look at which mid-major teams could be in that position, two come to mind. There’s Austin Peay and Western Kentucky, who each returns star players for the upcoming season. The Governors (21-14, 14-4) brings back three of its top four scorers, led by Terry Taylor. The reigning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year averaged 21.8 and 11.0 rpg, backed up by sophomore guard Jordyn Adams (17.4 ppg).

The Hilltoppers (20-10, 13-5) will have leading scorer Taveion Hollingsworth back, who put up 16.6 ppg. Two other double-digit performers are back as well, including forward Carson Williams and wing Josh Anderson. But the biggest piece of note is Charles Bassey, a former five-star prospect who has averaged nearly 15 and 10 in 44 games played. He missed most of last season though with an injury but has elected to return to Western Kentucky for his junior season.

Both Bassey and Taylor alone are going to have their respective programs as viable contenders in both the Ohio Valley and Conference USA. Their matchup is a return game from a previously agreed to series. Last year, the Hilltoppers dominated the game with a 97-75 win. Hollingsworth had 21 points, while Bassey produced a double-double. Taylor led all scorers with 22 but the Governors defense was sorely lacking.

With the return game in Clarksville, Tennessee, Austin Peay is looking to not only exact some revenge but also notch a top-100 victory for their resume. Terry will be the best overall player on the court and possibly even the top NBA Draft prospect but the Hilltoppers will have the edge when it comes to depth. And if Bassey can be near 100% by the game in early December, the Governors may not have an answer for him once again.

It very well could be a stretch that neither Western Kentucky and Austin Peay will be at-large contenders but in the very least, both should be entertaining mid-major basketball programs to watch. This game, which will be played on December 2nd, will be a must-watch non-conference matchup. The winner will get nice bragging rights and great momentum heading into league play.