Weekly Prediction Standings

1. Tavian 8-0
2. Owen 7-1
3. Tyler 7-1
4. Jalen 7-1

WILDCATS-BEARS PREDICTIONS

Owen: It seems Head Coach Joe Golding has figured out the group of guys he wants out on the court, and it’s truly paid off. ACU now sits at six-consecutive wins, and they’ll need to win the next couple games if they want a double-bye for the Southland Conference Tournament. Central Arkansas is coming off a bye, giving them more time to prepare for the Wildcats. In their last match, ACU survived in an overtime thriller in Conway, Arkansas, where senior guard Payton Ricks nailed a game-winning jump shot with just a couple seconds left. Since then, the Bears have endured a tough schedule, losing two out of their last three. For Central Arkansas, they’ll need to keep ACU fom shooting the way they’ve been during its six-game win streak. For the Wildcats, they need to keep finding Ricks outside the perimeter, as the final stretch of the regular season begins. Wildcats with another statement win in this game.

ACU vs. UCA: ACU: 80  UCA: 65

Tavian:  The Wildcats have hit their stride late in the season as they’re on a six-game win streak and are currently second in the conference standings, just behind Stephen F. Austin. This Saturday they take on a good Central Arkansas team who almost defeated the Wildcats back in January. Senior guard Payten Ricks was on fire this past Wednesday night, as he scored 23 points and shot 6-10 from the field. They’re going to need his shooting performance in order to continue winning games. Central Arkansas comes in giving up 82.5 ppg and averaging about 17.6 turnovers per game. They’ll need to take care of the ball and slow down the Wildcats offensively in order for them to get a win in Moody. I expect it to be a close game, but the Wildcats will close it out on a big run. Wildcats win this one.

ACU vs UCA: ACU:73 UCA:64

Tyler: After clinching their spot in the Southland Conference Tournament, six straight wins and explosive offensive output against Sam Houston, the Wildcats are set to play Central Arkansas for the last time this season. With the win over SHSU, the Wildcats clinched a top-four seed and a first round bye at the conference tournament in Katy. In the win over Sam Houston, senior guard Payten Ricks led the team with 23 points, followed by Clay Gayman with 13. The emergence of Gayman and the consistency of Ricks make the Wildcats very potent against any opponent, but the highlight was the steady offense throughout and tough defense. It was a complete game for the Wildcats, and if they finish the season out with play like that, a win over UCA should come easy. ACU wins it late in the second half and takes home another victory.

ACU vs UCA: ACU: 83  UCA:78

Jalen: Coming off their sixth-consecutive win, the Wildcats host the Central Arkansas Bears Saturday. Senior guard Payten Ricks led the Wildcats to victory against the Sam Houston State Bearkats, with Ricks scoring 23 points. Sophomore forward Clay Gayman and junior center Kolton Kohl also scored in double digits as well.  The Wildcats were very effiecent as a team against Sam Houston State, shooting 51% from the field, which is their sixth-straight game shooting at least 45% as a team from the field. Central Arkansas is currently seventh in the Southland Conference with a 10-18 record. The Bears are led by junior guard Ryan Bergersen and junior center Hayden Koval. Bergersen is seventh in the conference in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game, while Koval is fifth in rebounding and first in blocked shots, averaging over three blocks per game. The Wildcats will need to find a way to lock down those two star players for the Bears. The last time these two teams played, the Wildcats won by one point in overtime. 

ACU vs UCA: ACU: 79  UCA: 69