CHICO – It’s one thing to pull a rabbit out of a hat. It’s another thing entirely to make a decade disappear. It’s been a special start to the season for Chico State men’s basketball Coach Greg Clink and his Wildcats, but things could take a turn toward the truly magical if the Wildcats continue their success on the road at Humboldt State and Sonoma State this weekend.

The Wildcats have lost eight straight games against Humboldt State and they haven’t won in Arcata since February of 1998. At Sonoma State, things have been even worse. The Wildcats have lost 15 of their last 17 meetings with the Seawolves, and their last 12 in Rohnert Park. Their last win there came in January of 1997, more than 13 years ago.

The Wildcats will attempt to win their school-record seventh straight road game Thursday at Humboldt State. They’ll face Sonoma State Saturday. Wins in both of those games would have the Wildcats off to the best start in Chico State men’s basketball history at 11-2. It’s been done four times, but not since the 1942-43 season.

Tipoff for both games is scheduled for 7:30. They can be heard locally on ESPN Radio (101.7 FM or 1340 AM) or online via the Wildcat Webcast link on the Chico State Athletics Web site. Mike Baca will provide the play-by-play. Live stats of Thursday night's game will also be available at www.hsujacks.com.

These games are the third and fourth of five road games over 13 days for the Wildcats. But following Tuesday night’s trip to Cal State Stanislaus, they’ll play nine of their final 13 games at Acker Gym.

A win Thursday would put the Wildcats (9-2 overall and 5-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association) in a first-place tie with Cal State San Bernardino atop CCAA standings. Humboldt State enters the weekend 8-5 overall and 5-3 in the CCAA. Sonoma State has dropped five straight to fall to 3-10 overall and 2-4 in the CCAA.

Click here to see this weekend's game notes and stats package.