The Chico State men's basketball team is resolute in its determination to win its third straight California Collegiate Athletic Association title and earn its sixth straight NCAA Tournament berth. The Wildcats hope to get two steps closer to achieving those aims next week by ringing in the new year with two more wins. Chico State has won 20 of its past 21 CCAA home games.
 
The 10-2 Wildcats host Cal State Monterey Bay Thursday night at 7:30 and then San Francisco State for a New Year's Eve matinee Saturday at 3:30.
 
On the 31^st, Chico State's department of athletics is hoping that bell ringing is accompanied by lots of the clicking of tin cans as it invites the basketball fans to bring donations for the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, which provides nutritious food, food program assistance support, and referral services for students experiencing food insecurity (those not having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food). Chico State athletics has been a vital supporter of the program since its inception.
 
Items requested by the pantry staff include health bars, peanut butter, canned and dry beans, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, Mac 'n cheese, canned chicken, fish, and fruit, and can openers.
 
Chico State, unbeaten in six home contests thus far, leads the nation in scoring defense, having allowed just 59.3 points per game and more 70 or more just once. The Wildcats are also ranked No. 10 in the nation in rebounding margin, having out-boarded their opponents by an average of 10.2 per game.
 
They are currently tied for third in the conference standings at 3-1.
 
The Wildcats have won four straight and 10 of their last 11 against Cal State Monterey Bay. Four of the last five meetings decided by 10 points or less, however, including the Otters' 73-72 win in Acker Gym on Jan. 18, 2014.
 
The Wildcats, who came into that game 11-2 and heavy favorites over a 4-8 Otters squad,  need simply to refer back to that night to avoid looking past Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
The Wildcats have won seven straight, 10 of their last 11, and 28 of their last 41 against San Francisco State. Thanks to those streaks, they have a chance to tie the all-time series against the team they have played more than any other. The Gators currently have a 101-100 edge.
 
San Francisco State, tied with UC San Diego atop the CCAA standings at 4-0, is 11-0 overall and off to the best start in the history of its program. The 21^st-ranked Gators, who will likely move up in the rankings with the release of Tuesday's newest NABC Poll Tuesday, are one of nine unbeaten teams remaining in Division II.
 
They are among the nation's top 10 in field-goal percentage defense (3^rd-36.7%), free-throw percentage (3^rd-80.4%), and steals (4^th-10.9 per game), and rank second in the CCAA in scoring offense at 84.0 points per game.  
 
Every Chico State basketball game this season will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM. Links to streaming audio, video and live stats are available in the calendar section on the ChicoWildcats.com homepage and on the men's basketball schedule page.