Chico State has historically housed a strong men's basketball program but the Wildcats have rarely ranked among the nation's top 25 teams. When they were named No. 21 in the latest installment of the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Poll Tuesday, it marked just the fifth time they've cracked the top 25 in the program's history.
Cal State San Bernardino, ranked No. 19, is used being in poll position. The Coyotes have spent 32 weeks in the top 10 and 77 in the top 25 since the start of the 1999-2000 season.
Cal State San Bernardino is the perennial power. But the Wildcats are showing signs of becoming one as well, having won the last five matchups after dropping 24 of the previous 30.
The teams will square off Friday night at 7:30 at Coussoulis Arena on the campus of Cal State San Bernardino. Chico State will then face UC San Diego Saturday at 7:30 in RIMAC Arena in La Jolla.
Both games will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM, and simulcast on the internet via the Wildcat Athletics website, with Mike Baca handling the play-by-play. Live Stats will be available for both contests, with streaming video available for Saturday's UC San Diego game.
Cal State San Bernardino was picked to win the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title in the preseason coaches' poll and has done nothing to change that opinion. The Coyotes are 7-1, riding a seven-game win streak, and coming off wins versus nationally-ranked Western Washington and Midwestern State before the holiday break.
They're tied with Cal State LA. atop the conference standings at 4-0.
Chico State is among three teams a game back at 3-1. The Wildcats are off to a 7-1 start overall for the second time in three seasons. Prior to that, they hadn't started that strong since the 1942-43 season.
UC San Diego is 5-3 overall and 1-3 in the CCAA.
The Wildcats will play 10 of their final 16 regular season games at home following this weekend, beginning with games against Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A. Jan. 10-11, respectively.
