The wait is over; basketball season is here. The ACU women begin their inaugural Div. I. season at home against Texas Lutheran University on Friday. While their opponents, the TLU Bulldogs, are only a Div. III. team, head coach Julie Goodenough expects a tough game.

“They are going to bring their very best, so we’ve got to be ready to defend and execute,” Goodenough said. Still, Goodenough is keeping the primary focus on her young team.

“We are going to focus more on ourselves and doing what we do, and doing it well,” she said.

However, there is still much to be learned about who “we” really is. The starting five has yet to be determined and could change on a game-to-game basis. Nine of the Wilcats’ 12 players will be suiting up for their first collegiate action. Goodenough knows there will be a natural learning curve with things like the speed of the game and having a shot clock on offense.

But what the freshmen lack in experience, they make up for with quickness, effort and execution.

Goodenough said, “I like their hunger to learn and get better everyday.” The new ‘Cats have already had an opportunity to display their ability with some scrimmages. They have grasped the offense and are putting their speed to work in transition.

Nevertheless, Goodenough knows her team will need to raise their intensity for tonight and throughout their entire season. This is not just another scrimmage or another practice. This one counts; this is Div. I. basketball.