The Chico State men’s basketball team will tip off the new year against two of its oldest rivals this weekend in Acker Gym. The Wildcats host Sonoma State Friday night and San Francisco State Saturday. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:30.

Chico State, Sonoma State and San Francisco State were all members of the old Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) before collectively making the leap to the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) beginning with the 1998-99 season.

The Wildcats and Sonoma State have tangled 83 times over the years and at least once every season since 1979-80. San Francisco State is Chico State’s longest running rival. They’ve squared off at least twice a season since 1932-33. Saturday will mark their 193rd meeting. The Wildcats trail the series 92-100, but have won 21 of the last 33 against San Francisco State and 18 of the last 22 at Acker Gym.

Chico State, 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the CCAA, enters the weekend on a two-game winning streak. Sonoma State is 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the CCAA and San Francisco State is 5-3 overall and 3-1 in conference action. The Gators will play at Cal State Stanislaus Friday night before heading up Highway 99 to Chico.

Broadcasts of both games will be available locally on AM 1290 KPAY and online via the Wildcat Webcast link on the homepage.

The Wildcats were swept by Sonoma State in the regular season last year before ending the Seawolves’ season in shocking fashion in the CCAA Championship Tournament on Damario Sims’ buzzer beater.

Sims will attempt to make more history this weekend. With 27 points and six assists the senior guard would become just the second Wildcat in school history with 1,000 career points and 200 career assists joining Deon Robinson (1997-2001).

The Wildcats won both matchups with San Francisco State last season, 72-66 in San Francisco and 61-44 in Chico.