The Chico State men’s basketball team began practice Tuesday with two main goals in mind: to get healthy and get back on the winning track.

Whether they achieved the first goal will be evident when the starting lineups are announced prior to Friday night’s matchup with Cal State Monterey Bay. Starters Jason Conrad, Amir Carraway and Sean Park all missed one or both of last weekend’s games due to various injuries.

They’ll have to wait until after Saturday night’s showdown with Cal State East Bay to know if they’re heading in the right direction in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings.

Both games will tip off at Acker Gym at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The Wildcats enter the weekend with an overall record of 8-6, but have dropped three of their last four conference games to fall to 5-5 in the CCAA and into sole possession of sixth place. They are only one game out of third, however.

Cal State Monterey Bay, coached by former Chico State assistant coach Rob Bishop, is 3-7 in the CCAA and 7-10 overall. Cal State East Bay is 5-9 overall and 4-6 in the CCAA.

The weekend will feature two games with two interesting matchups to watch.

Bishop’s Otters are ranked second in the CCAA in scoring at 73.5 points per game, while the Chico State defense is surrendering only 57.6 points per game, good for fifth in the nation.

The Wildcats are also ranked 18th in the nation in personal fouls per game (15.4). Cal State East Bay, on the other hand, leads the CCAA in both free throws made (16.4) and free throws attempted (24.8) per game.

Both games will air locally on AM 1290 KPAY. The audio broadcast will also be streamed online via the Wildcat Webcast link at www.chicowildcats.com.