SEATTLE – The Greg Clink era of the Chico State men’s basketball program officially begins this weekend when the Wildcats open the 2008-09 regular season at Seattle University’s Elgin Baylor Tip-off Classic. The Wildcats will face Seattle University Saturday at 4 p.m. and Saint Martin’s Sunday at 2 p.m.

Clink, part of the Chico State basketball program’s last three conference titles as a player from 1992-94, was named the program's new head coach on April 22. He was hired away from UC Davis, where he had been the associate head coach since 2006.

Clink replaces the man he once played for and coached under, Puck Smith, who announced his retirement after 21 seasons following the final game of the 2007-08 campaign.

He’s not the only newcomer to the program, however. Only five returners are back from last season’s squad, and just two starters. All of the changes have generated a lot of excitement, as did the team’s narrow 52-46 loss at University of the Pacific in its final exhibition contest last weekend.

The Wildcats will face a pair of stiff tests this weekend. Seattle University is in the midst of making the transition to a Division I program. Saint Martin’s, meanwhile, is 1-2, but beat Bentley, the No. 3 team in the nation, after losing to Oregon State just 80-76 in an exhibition game.

Mike Baca will have the call for both games on 101.7 FM ESPN Radio in the Chico area. Fans can also follow live stats for both games at GoSeattleU.com.