The Chico State men's basketball team took care of business during the non-conference section of its schedule. The Wildcats went 4-0 and earned impressive wins against Dominican (handing the Penguins their first loss of the season) and 9th-ranked Seattle Pacific last weekend.

From here on out it's all California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) competition, all the time.

Chico State, 0-1 in conference play after an 80-78 overtime loss at much-improved Cal State Stanislaus on Nov. 16, plays at San Francisco State Friday and Sonoma State Saturday. Both games will tip at approximately 7:30. Fans can follow the action locally on Newstalk 1290 AM KPAY and on the Internet at www.chicowildcats.com, with Mike Baca handling the play-by-play. Livestats will also be available online.

Chico State is picked to finish fourth in the CCAA this season according to the conference's preseason coaches' poll. The Wildcats won their first CCAA crown two years ago and finished third in the conference last year. San Francisco State is picked to finish third and Sonoma State seventh.

The Wildcats and San Francisco State know each other well. The Gators also faced Seattle Pacific and Dominican last weekend at the Chico State Mac Martin Invitational, losing 101-96 to SPU and beating Dominican 88-79. 

The 2-1 Gators rank second in the conference in scoring at 87 points per game. Chico State, meanwhile, leads the CCAA in scoring defense, allowing only 59.2 points per game. Sonoma State is 1-3, but the Wildcats have only won in Rohnert Park twice in the past 20 years.

One stat to keep an eye on: Amir Carraway is two 3-pointers shy of becoming the 12th player in Chico State history to hit 100.

Both games pose challenges. Of course, that's the way it's going to be every weekend in the always-tough CCAA.