The long and winding journey to determine Great American Conference regular season champions in men’s and women’s basketball begins this week.
Arkansas Tech University will play the first of its 22 conference doubleheaders during the 2023-24 season when it travels to Steelman Fieldhouse for games against the University of Arkansas-Monticello at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30.
Live coverage will be available over KCJC 102.3 FM, www.arkansastechsports.com and the EAB Media Group app.
The ATU Wonder Boys (2-2) were picked to finish second in the GAC during a preseason poll of league head coaches. They have won their last two games by fending off comeback bids to defeat Drury University 75-72 on Nov. 16 and the University of Texas-Tyler 88-81 in overtime on Nov. 22.
The UAM Boll Weevils (1-3) dropped a 73-66 decision to Williams Baptist College on Saturday. The difference was 3-point shooting. Williams Baptist was 11-of-23 from beyond the arc, while UAM was 2-of-14. The Boll Weevils were 10th among the 12 members of the GAC in this year’s preseason men’s basketball poll.
The ATU Golden Suns (2-1) and the UAM Cotton Blossoms (4-2) both closed out their pre-conference preparations with an eight-point victory over the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Suns defeated the Lions 73-65 on Nov. 21, while the Blossoms defeated UAFS 61-53 on Saturday.
It was the first women’s basketball meeting between ATU and UAFS. The Golden Suns have now faced 22 opponents from inside the State of Arkansas, and they have a winning record against all 22.
GAC coaches thought Arkansas Tech’s women would finish fourth in the league this season, while UAM’s women were picked to finish last.
After the trip to Monticello, the Wonder Boys and the Golden Suns will return to Tucker Coliseum to host Ouachita Baptist University at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
