Did the Chico State men’s basketball team’s impressive start to the season at last weekend’s Carl’s Jr. Mac Martin Invitational pique your interest? If you witnessed the Wildcats’ 84-73 season-opening win against Alaska Fairbanks and/or their 83-36 thrashing of Academy of Art, the guess here is that the answer is yes. If you didn’t, the above should do the trick.
Good news! The Wildcats are back in action at Acker Gym on Saturday night when they host Pacific Union. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. If that’s still not enough to get you in the gym, tune in to the play-by-play on live locally on Newstalk 1290-AM KPAY. Mike Baca will be providing the play-by-play; the broadcast can also be accessed through the Wildcats Athletic website. Fans not able to attend the game in person can also follow the action on Live Stats at by clicking the Live Stats link on the men's basketball home page.
Fans are likely to see an impressive team on the boards. The Wildcats have outrebounded the opposition 110-59 thus far. Offensively, Amir Carraway and Damario Sims lead the Wildcats with 15.5 points per game. But they won’t be the only Wildcats in action. Thirteen players have appeared in both of the team’s games.
The Wildcats will be after their second straight 3-0 start. Last season’s squad started 4-0 and went on to finish 14-13, advancing to the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament for the second straight season.
Chico State has beaten Pacific Union in each of the past four seasons. They won 69-40 last season behind Rashad Parker’s 13 points and three steals. They won 84-68 in 2009-10, 87-34 in 2008-09, and 98-67 in 2007-08. Fifth-year senior Josh Jackson filled the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in that 2008-09 victory.
Saturday will mark the second-to-last chance to see the Wildcats in Acker Gym in 2011. They’ll face Menlo College at home on Tuesday at 5:30 and then will not return home for a game until facing off against Cal State Stanislaus on Jan. 2. They’ll play seven straight on the road in between.
