TURLOCK – Having spent more time in a van then the gang from Scooby Doo over the last two weeks, Chico State’s men’s basketball players will undoubtedly stretch, breathe a breath of fresh air, and give thanks when they pull into town in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. They will have just finished playing their fifth road game in 13 days at Cal State Stanislaus. They’ll undoubtedly have van sleep hairstyles. The expressions they wear will likely depend on whether they come home with a victory.
Tipoff for Tuesday night’s game in Turlock is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
The Wildcats entered last weekend on a six-game road winning streak, but dropped games at Humboldt State Thursday and Sonoma State Saturday to fall to 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State Stanislaus enters Tuesday’s action 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the CCAA.
The Wildcats have a chance to finish the road trip a 3-2, a record they would surely have been satisfied with before the trek began. Standing in their way is a Warriors team that boasts a 3-1 record at home. The Warriors’ strength lies in the painted area where they lead the CCAA in blocked shots and rank second in rebounding.
The Wildcats will match up with the likes of 6-foot-11 center Frank Monge (6.5 rebounds per game and 13 blocked shots), 6-foot-7 forward Matt Ibewiro (4.0 rebounds per game and nine blocked shots) and 6-foot-3 forward Jordan Stokes (6.2 rebounds per game and 11 blocked shots) with four strong post players of their own. Terence Pellum is averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shot per game. The undersized Roderick Hawkins leads the Wildcats in rebounding at 6.5 per game and is averaging 10.2 points per game. Six-foot-8 senior Brian Seals has had his best two games coming off the bench for the Wildcats during their current road string. And 7-foot freshman Jason Conrad has been effective as well.
With a win Tuesday, the Wildcats would move into a tie for third-place with Cal State L.A. and only a half game behind second-place Humboldt State. Beginning with games against Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills this Friday and Saturday, respectively, the Wildcats will play nine of their final 13 regular season games at home, including nine of their next 11. Chico State, Cal State L.A. (6-3) and Dominguez Hills (5-4) are all part of a six-team bunch between third and sixth place separated by one game.
