Last weekend, Moody Coliseum opened its doors to nine basketball players in an open tryout for the men’s basketball team.

“It is the first time we have done that, but hopefully in the future we can double or triple the number of kids there,” head coach Joe Golding said.

Although the coaching staff is still in the process of evaluating the talent they saw on Saturday, the ‘Cats will have some familiar faces next year in the fifth year senior Desmond Woodberry and senior Dosh Simms.

Woodberry is coming off a concussion, but is looking to step into a starting role.

Simms will also be in a larger role next year when his responsibilities on the court will peak his senior year.

“It is up to Desmond and I to get in there and show these new guys how things are done here,” Simms said.

Last year, the Wildcats showed signs of becoming a team marked by defensive intensity and rebounding under the new coaching regime. Now bringing in more players that fit the ACU mold has been a priority for the basketball program this spring.

“I am trying to recruit a certain type of student athlete that fits the way I want to coach, but also guys that are not going to get in trouble off the floor and represent this great university we have well,” Golding said.

The Wildcats won four times as many conference games as they did each of the last two seasons, and the rebuilding process is in full swing now with several recruits signing the dotted line to become a member of Wildcat Nation next fall.

“I think this year will be different because we will really get to see coach Golding’s fingerprint on the program,” Simms said.

With the pull of recruiting and last weekend’s tryout, ACU should be able to put together a talented basketball team that can compete in a tough conference.