NCAA Basketball: Top 25 early winners from 2023 offseason moves

By Joey Loose | Apr 29, 2023

Mar 24, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars guard Tramon Mark (12) reacts after a foul call during the second half of an NCAA tournament Midwest Regional semifinal against the Miami Hurricanes at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports /

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NCAA Basketball Northwestern State Demons head coach Corey Gipson Scott Clause-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Austin Peay

Last season, Austin Peay finished just 9-22, winding up in last place in their first season in the A-Sun. Despite serving as head coach for just two seasons, Nate James was given his walking papers and the Governors brought Corey Gipson in from Northwestern State to take over the helm. James, a longtime former Duke player, and assistant, wasn’t getting the job done, but could things be on the rise in Clarksville?

DeMarcus Sharp averaged 19.5 points per game and was Southland Player of the Year last season and he’s just one of the pieces that Gipson has brought from Northwestern State. Demons starters Ja’Monta Black, Isaac Haney, and Jalen Hampton all averaged double-digit points per game and are all joining Austin Peay as well next season. The Governors have greatly refurbished their roster with the talent that Gipson is bringing from Natchitoches.

Gipson not only accepted the head coaching post at his alma mater but has dragged virtually all of the top-level talent from his first head coaching job over to Austin Peay. It’s an impressive turn of events for the Governors, who might suddenly have one of the most talented rosters in the A-Sun, a league often raided in the Transfer Portal by bigger programs. Could Gipson and company make major strides right away?

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