The men’s basketball team took on Kentucky in its first-ever NCAA tournament game Thursday evening, and fell 79-44.
Despite the loss, head coach Joe Golding said ACU basketball will see more success in the future.
“It’s the second year we’ve been eligible for postseason play,” Golding said “I’m glad our university can experience this. It’s going to help our program with recruiting. I don’t think this was one of the best seasons, I think it was the best season in school history.”
- Hayden Farquhar wins the tipoff against EJ Montgomery, freshman forward for Kentucky, to kick off the game. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, prepares to take a shot during the game against Kentucky. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaren Lewis, senior guard, takes a shot against Kentucky. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, takes a shot against Jemarl Baker, redshirt freshman guard for Kentucky. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- EJ Montgomery, freshman forward for Kentucky, jumps to block a shot by Trey Lenox, junior guard. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Hayden Farquhar, senior forward, tries to pass EJ Montgomery, freshman forward for Kentucky.(Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Kolton Kohl, sophomore center, takes a shot blocked by EJ Montgomery, freshman forward for Kentucky. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaren Lewis, senior forward, flies to the rim for a layup. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaren Lewis, senior forward, takes a jump shot in traffic over Keldon Johnson. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaren Lewis, senior forward, shoots a free throw. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Damien Daniels, freshman guard, shoots a floater over E.J. Montgomery. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, drives the lane for a layup. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- ACU’s bench watches in anticipation against Kentucky. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, takes a three-pointer. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, dribbles around a defender on his way to the basket. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- ACU students, Evan Beck and Austin Browning, hold up their joking signs in the arena. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Trey Lenox, junior guard, looks to dribble inside the arc for a shot. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaren Lewis, senior forward, puts up a floater shot in the paint. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Damien Daniels, freshman guard, dribbles away from a defender. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Payten Ricks, junior guard, dribbles across mid-court on a fast break. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, drives to the lane for a shot. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- ACU fans cheer on the team in Jacksonville. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, steps and tries to dodge a defender for a layup. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Joe Golding, head coach for the Wildcats, calls out adjustments to his team during the game. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Paul Hiepler, sophomore guard, gets pumped up for his team on the bench. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Jaylen Franklin, senior guard, prepares to set up the offense at the top of the arc. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- Trey Lenox, junior guard, attempts a three blocked by Reid Travis, graduate forward for Kentucky. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- John Calipari, Kentucky head coach, yells at his team after missing a shot. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
- The Wildcats, including all three seniors – Jaren Lewis, Jaylen Franklin and Hayden Farquhar – meet in the middle of the court seconds before the game against Kentucky ended. (Photo by Lauren Franco)