| MATCHUP | Austin Peay Governors | North Florida Ospreys |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 19-6 | 6-21 |
| Where | UNF Arena, Jacksonville, FL | |
| When | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Austin Peay Governors and the North Florida Ospreys meet Thursday in college basketball action from UNF Arena in Jacksonville. Here’s an Austin Peay vs North Florida prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Austin Peay vs North Florida pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Austin Peay Governors Betting Preview
Austin Peay got off to a pretty good start this year, hitting an 11-5 record over their first 16 games. The Governors would lose to Lipscomb, then took wins over Florida Gulf Coast, Stetson, Eastern Kentucky, West Georgia, Lipscomb, North Alabama, Queens U and Bellarmine afterward. Over 25 games this year that gives the Governors a 19-6 overall record.
In their matchup with Bellarmine on Saturday the Govs were sitting pretty at the break on a 53-33 advantage. Austin Peay kept the pace the rest of the way, posting a 37-37 run on the way to a 90-70 victory at home in the end. Collin Parker was the leading team scorer with his 22 points, seven boards and four assists. Zyree Collins doubled up with 16 points and 14 assists as well.
North Florida Ospreys Betting Preview
Over on the Ospreys’ side, they kicked off their campaign with a rough 2-15 record over their first 17 outings. UNF managed to win three of the next four games over North Alabama, Eastern Kentucky and Bellarmine. After that came a 1-5 run with losses to Stetson, Lipscomb, Queens U, Florida Gulf Coast and Jacksonville, giving the Ospreys a 6-21 record on the year.
In the Jacksonville matchup over the weekend the Ospreys entered the second half with a six-point deficit 32-26. North Florida was outscored 31-30 the rest of the way, leading to a 63-56 loss on the road in the end. Kamrin Oriol was tops on the team with his 16 points, three assists and two rebounds while Kent Jackson had 15 points with nine rebounds in the losing effort.
Austin Peay Governors @ North Florida Ospreys Betting Trends: February 19, 2026
Why the North Florida Ospreys will win
- The home team has won 16 of Austin Peay’s last 21 games.
Why the Austin Peay Governors will win
- Austin Peay has won each of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- North Florida has lost five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- North Florida has lost the first half in each of its last six night games at UNF Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Austin Peay vs North Florida Prediction
I’ll lean toward Austin Peay. The Governors rolled right past a middling Bellarmine team in a home matchup last weekend, hitting a nice 58.3 percent from the field with 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from outside and 85.7 percent (24-of-28) from the line. Austin Peay added 22 team assists and just eight turnovers along the way. The Governors have won eight games in a row now, scoring 81 or more points in seven of them (73 in the other).
Back on New Year’s Day when these teams last saw each other, the Governors secured a pretty routine 102-83 victory at home. Austin Peay managed to shoot 48.7 percent from the field in that one with a 37-30 rebounding edge and a 52-26 advantage on points in the paint. The Govs also had 20 team assists and only six turnovers in a pretty disciplined outing. Austin Peay should have the inside track on a cover in the road rematch.

![North Florida Ospreys cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA men s basketball game Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at the University of North Florida s UNF Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. UNF defeated JU 82-74. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://pickdawgz.com/tachyon/2026/01/22279139-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024)