Wildcat Hoops Set for Inaugural UAC Basketball Tipoff Event Thursday
9/23/2026 11:15:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
ALLEN, Texas — Abilene Christian men's and women's basketball will offer a preview of the 2026-27 season at the inaugural United Athletic Conference Basketball Tipoff at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center on Thursday. UAC coaches and student-athletes will take part in local activations, creative content and media availabilities as excitement builds for the upcoming campaign.
Head coach Brette Tanner and seniors Cade Hornecker and Yaniel Rivera will represent the Wildcat men's squad, while head coach Julie Goodenough and seniors Payton Hull and Erin Woodson will attend on behalf of the ACU women's team.
Hosted at the site of the 2027 UAC Basketball Tournaments, the Tipoff event will have coaches and student-athletes preview the 2026-27 campaign through content creation and media availability with The Field of 68 and ESPN+. Jeff Goodman, Rob Dauster and Talia Goodman of The Field of 68 will be on site to conduct one-on-one interviews. The Field of 68's content will be streamed live on YouTube and X, with ACU being highlighted at 11:40 a.m.
A season preview show including feature stories and interviews will air on ESPN+ on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. Coaches and student-athletes will also be made available to local media.
Both ACU programs are only 40 days away from their season openers on Nov. 2, with the men facing Colorado on the road and the women hosting Howard Payne at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats make their debut in the UAC, a rebranding of the Western Athletic Conference. ACU welcomes six new conference opponents in Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Little Rock, North Alabama and West Georgia alongside Tarleton State and UT Arlington.
ACU men's basketball enters its sixth season under Tanner featuring a retooled lineup with 10 newcomers, including six with international experience. Starting 7-foot center Hornecker and guard Rivera are back for another season in the Purple and White. The Wildcats reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 WAC Tournament and ranked top three in the NCAA in both turnovers forced per game and steals per game.
ACU women's hoops is coming off its second consecutive WNIT Super 16 appearance in 2025-26. The Wildcats went 24-11 for their most wins since 2019-20 and advanced to the WAC title game with a 13-5 mark in conference play.
Fresh off an international tour to Greece and Rwanda, the Wildcats embark on Year 15 under head coach Julie Goodenough, anchored by a group of 10 returners that includes seven seniors. Reigning WAC Player of the Year Payton Hull leads the pack.
Head coach Brette Tanner and seniors Cade Hornecker and Yaniel Rivera will represent the Wildcat men's squad, while head coach Julie Goodenough and seniors Payton Hull and Erin Woodson will attend on behalf of the ACU women's team.
Hosted at the site of the 2027 UAC Basketball Tournaments, the Tipoff event will have coaches and student-athletes preview the 2026-27 campaign through content creation and media availability with The Field of 68 and ESPN+. Jeff Goodman, Rob Dauster and Talia Goodman of The Field of 68 will be on site to conduct one-on-one interviews. The Field of 68's content will be streamed live on YouTube and X, with ACU being highlighted at 11:40 a.m.
A season preview show including feature stories and interviews will air on ESPN+ on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. Coaches and student-athletes will also be made available to local media.
Both ACU programs are only 40 days away from their season openers on Nov. 2, with the men facing Colorado on the road and the women hosting Howard Payne at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats make their debut in the UAC, a rebranding of the Western Athletic Conference. ACU welcomes six new conference opponents in Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Little Rock, North Alabama and West Georgia alongside Tarleton State and UT Arlington.
ACU men's basketball enters its sixth season under Tanner featuring a retooled lineup with 10 newcomers, including six with international experience. Starting 7-foot center Hornecker and guard Rivera are back for another season in the Purple and White. The Wildcats reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 WAC Tournament and ranked top three in the NCAA in both turnovers forced per game and steals per game.
ACU women's hoops is coming off its second consecutive WNIT Super 16 appearance in 2025-26. The Wildcats went 24-11 for their most wins since 2019-20 and advanced to the WAC title game with a 13-5 mark in conference play.
Fresh off an international tour to Greece and Rwanda, the Wildcats embark on Year 15 under head coach Julie Goodenough, anchored by a group of 10 returners that includes seven seniors. Reigning WAC Player of the Year Payton Hull leads the pack.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballMonday, September 21
Monday, September 21
Saturday, September 19
Tuesday, September 15
