Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / New season brings hope

New season brings hope

November 13, 2009 by Austin Gwin

The Wildcat basketball team has high hopes, despite a low season last year.

Due to injuries and a tough schedule, the Wildcats finished 10-16 last season, but a lot of fresh faces will give ACU a chance to get back into the habit of winning.

The Lone Star Conference released its preseason rankings and the Wildcats were slotted to finish in fifth out of six teams in the LSC South Division.

“I think we can exceed expectations this year,” said Head Coach Jason Copeland. “Preseason rankings don’t mean a lot. It’s based on how you finished last year, and we didn’t have a great finish. We should finish higher than fifth.”

The rankings predicted Midwestern State will win the conference for the second straight year. Midwestern is followed by Angelo State, Tarleton State, West Texas A&M and Texas A&M-Kingsville. ACU and East New Mexico round out the LSC South.

The team will look different this year. Only three players with significant playing time are returning; center Kendrick Johnson and guards Riley Lambert and Kevin White.

“We have a lot of new guys this year,” Copeland said. “We are going to try to get some kids different looks at different spots. We are also going to do some new things defensively.”

Copeland brought in three transfers to help boost the ACU squad. NCAA Division I transfers Preston Davis, (Stephen F. Austin), and Abby Kabba, (New Hampshire), as well as junior college transfer Eddie Thompson, (Paris JC), will help bolster a lineup that aims to be more up-tempo than last year’s.

Two years ago, the Wildcats made a run for the LSC semifinals. Copeland wants the Wildcats to return to that style of play. Point guard Justin Heiman’s quick and speedy play will be the driving force of the new offense.

Another factor that should help the Wildcats is their schedule. The Wildcats are slated to play 16 home games this season, as opposed to only 13 last season.

“Anytime you can play at and get used to that friendly environment, it’s a plus,” Copeland said. “We need to get in here and play and let the chips fall where they may.”

Moody Coliseum has indeed been a friendly environment for the ‘Cats. Last year, ACU went 8-5 at home, while going 2-11 on the road. Eight of the first 10 games will be in Moody, beginning with the season-opener against Baptist Bible College at 7 p.m Tuesday.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Basketball

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats’ season ends abruptly in first-round loss to CBU

  • Wildcats get upset by Sam Houston in first round, causing tournament exit

  • High-powered offense gives Wildcats third series win of the season

About Austin Gwin

You are here: Home / Sports / New season brings hope

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats’ season ends abruptly in first-round loss to CBU

  • Wildcats get upset by Sam Houston in first round, causing tournament exit

  • High-powered offense gives Wildcats third series win of the season

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
16 Feb

Black Student Union, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have joined together to plan events that educate others and provide celebrations during Black History Month. Read more:
https://acuoptimist.com/2023/02/black-history-month-events-educate-celebrate-acu-community/

Reply on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Retweet on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Like on Twitter 1626340622872285184 2 Twitter 1626340622872285184
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
11 Feb

BREAKING: Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, vice president emeritus, passed away Saturday. Hunter served as a representative of the 71st district of Texas and worked part time with ACU until 2013.

Reply on Twitter 1624540404690436097 Retweet on Twitter 1624540404690436097 4 Like on Twitter 1624540404690436097 23 Twitter 1624540404690436097

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
Scott Erickson, artist, author and performance speaker, visited campus and spoke at Chapel during the Black History Month speaker series last week. His presentation was entitled, "Say Yes: A Liturgy of Not Giving Up On Yourself." Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Author, performance speaker visits campus bringing a message on mental health - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Scott Erickson, artist, author and performance speaker, visited campus and spoke at Chapel during the Black History Month speaker series last week. His presentation was entitled, “Say Yes: A Liturgy...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 month ago

The Optimist
Residence Life is changing its lottery system to make University Park Apartments and sophomore housing decisions more fair and accessible for students. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Residence Life to give students more of a say in housing decisions - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Residence Life is changing its lottery system to make University Park Apartments and sophomore housing decisions more fair and accessible for students. The new system not only gives all students an eq...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved