Men's Basketball Starts WAC Play at Utah Valley

The ACU men's basketball starts 2025 and its Western Athletic Conference schedule on Saturday afternoon at Utah Valley.

Tip-off is at 3 p.m. CT at the UCCU Arena in Orem, UT.

The Wildcats (8-7) are coming off a 62-57 loss to rival Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday. ACU and the Lumberjacks both played physical, defensive-minded games and struggled to shoot from behind the arc and at the free throw line.

Junior Leonardo Bettiol set a new career-high with 27 points, including 21 in the first half. Bettiol ranks 4th in the WAC with 15.9 points per game. He also has the league's best field goal percentage at 63%.

Tuesday's game was the first time this season that ACU has lost when forcing 20+ turnovers. The Wildcats had won the three previous times their opponent hit the 20-turnover mark.

You can watch the game on ESPN+ (with paid subscription) and listen on 101.7 FM The Patriot with Grant Boone.


DEFENSE FIRST – ACU's identity is playing aggressive defense, forcing mistakes and capitalizing in transition. Head coach Brette Tanner's goal is to force 15 turnovers each game. The Wildcats are currently averaging 16.6 -- which is 12th most in the NCAA. ACU is also averaging 10 steals per game -- ranked 20th in the country.

JUST CALL HIM 'Q' – Quion Williams transferred from Oklahoma State to ACU and, as expected, has made a big impact. Williams has become ACU's second leading scorer and is at his best when he gets a full head of steam toward the basket. Williams has scored at least 10 points in 8 straight games, including tying his career high with 21 pts in a close win vs. Texas Southern on 12/21.

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN – The Wildcats begin WAC play with three consecutive road games -- at Utah Valley, Seattle U and Grand Canyon. In all ACU will travel 7,674 miles round-trip for the three games. The Wildcats had one sequence of three straight road WAC games, and another of four straight last season. ACU went 0-3 and 2-2 respectively. Their next home game is Jan. 18 vs. California Baptist.

SCOUTING UTAH VALLEY -- The Wolverines (8-6) are on a three-game winning streak. UVU leads the WAC in scoring defense (69 points allowed per game) and field goal percentage (48%). They're also first in rebound margin at +6.6 and assists per game with 16. The Wolverines have beaten ACU each of the last four meetings.