Because it takes place early on each basketball season, the Carl’s Jr. Mac Martin Invitational always brings with it a sense of hope and anticipation for the Chico State men’s basketball program. This year feels a little different. For the first time in nearly a decade, the hope is that the Wildcats have what it takes to make a second straight trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament, and it feels like this weekend will play a role making that determination.
The 20th-ranked Wildcats, 1-0 on the season, host the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Friday and ninth-ranked Seattle Pacific University Saturday. Both games will tip at approximately 7:30. San Francisco State will take on Seattle Pacific Friday and UC-Colorado Springs Saturday. Those games will tip at 5:30.
Saturday’s showdown between the 20th-ranked Wildcats and ninth-ranked Seattle Pacific is undoubtedly the marquee matchup of this year’s festivities. Both teams were knocked out of last year’s NCAA Championship Tournament by eventual national champion Western Washington - Chico State in the second round and Seattle Pacific in the third. The Falcons return their top four scorers from that team that finished 23-8. They’ve won each of their first four games this season by 17 points or more.
Chico State returns four starters as well, and seven of its top eight scorers.
The Wildcats need to focus on Friday’s opponent first. UC-Colorado Springs nearly pulled off the upset against 7th-ranked Winona State their last time out before falling 66-57. The Mountain Lions are 0-2 under first-year Head Coach Jeff Culver.
Chico State dominated its season opener against Pacifica Saturday night, winning 70-35. That win stretched the Wildcats’ home-court winning streak to seven games. They’re 1-0 this year after going 14-2 in Acker Gym last season, where they’re 34-13 dating back to the final game of Head Coach Greg Clink’s first season.
The Wildcats have won 19 of their last 23 games overall.
Both of Chico State’s games will be broadcast locally on AM 1290 KPAY and streamed online at www.chicowildcats.com. Livestats will be available for all four games at www.chicowildcats.com.
