Abilene Christian University’s men’s and women’s basketball programs are set to begin their first full seasons in the newly formed United Athletic Conference, a rebranded offshoot of the Western Athletic Conference. The 2026‑27 campaign will consist of 16 league contests for each team, blending home and road games in a tightly scheduled format.
Both squads will host eight conference matchups at the iconic Moody Coliseum while traveling for eight additional contests. The schedule is structured so that each conference opponent is faced twice — once at home and once on the road — ensuring balanced competition throughout the year.
Season Opener and Early Road Tests
The season officially opens on January 6, 2027. On that night the men’s team will welcome Little Rock to Moody Coliseum, while the women’s team begins its campaign on the road at UT Arlington. Those opening games set the tone for a schedule that alternates between mid‑week and weekend fixtures.
Throughout January and February the teams will encounter a series of back‑to‑back road trips, testing depth and resilience. The women’s squad will travel to Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky in early January before heading to West Georgia and North Alabama in early February, while the men’s side mirrors a similar pattern later in the month.
Doubleheaders Highlight Mid‑Season Surge
A pair of doubleheaders at Moody Coliseum on February 17 and 20 will provide a rare home‑court advantage for both programs. The men will host North Alabama and West Georgia on the 17th, with the women taking on West Georgia and Eastern Kentucky the following day. Two days later the men travel to Central Arkansas and Tarleton State, while the women enjoy a three‑game home stretch that includes Little Rock, North Alabama and Tarleton State.
The regular season will wind down in early March, with the men concluding on March 6 at Little Rock and the women closing their schedule on March 3, also in Little Rock, Arkansas. These final contests will determine final conference standings before any potential postseason play.
Head coaches Brette Tanner and Julie Goodenough will guide their respective teams through this inaugural campaign. Tanner, now in his sixth year with the Wildcats, brings steady leadership to the men’s program, while Goodenough begins her 15th year at the helm of the women’s team, marking a milestone of continuity and growth.
Season ticket holders currently have the opportunity to renew their seats for the 2026‑27 season, ensuring continued access to the home atmosphere that has become a hallmark of ACU basketball. New tickets will become available for purchase in early August, offering fans a chance to secure seats for the upcoming slate of games.
The United Athletic Conference’s rebranding reflects a strategic evolution for member institutions, including the addition of new rivals such as Tarleton State and UT Arlington alongside traditional opponents from the Atlantic Sun and Ohio Valley Conferences. This realignment promises fresh storylines and competitive balance as the Wildcats embark on their first full conference schedule.
While non‑conference matchups will be announced at a later date, the announced conference slate provides a clear roadmap for the teams, coaches, and fans alike. The excitement surrounding the debut season underscores the university’s commitment to elevating its basketball programs within a dynamic collegiate landscape.