The Chico State men's basketball team entered the NCAA's mandatory winter break atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association Standings. The Wildcats hope to enter 2018 in the same place. That will not be an easy task. Chico State hosts Cal State LA Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Cal State Dominguez Hills in a New Year's Eve 2 p.m. matinee this weekend at Acker Gym.
The games will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY and accessible online. Links to the audio stream, streaming video, and live stats are available on the top-left corner of this story, in the calendar section on the homepage, and on the men's basketball schedule page.
Sunday is Wildcat Pantry Day at Acker Gym. Fans are encouraged to bring nutritious and non-perishable food donations, or cash, to support the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, which provides food items to food-insecure students. The Pantry is currently in need of canned chicken or fish, canned beans, canned vegetables and fruits, dry beans, lentils, pasta, rice, oatmeal, cereal, and healthy snacks such as granola bars.
At 8-2 overall, the Wildcats are currently ranked No. 1 in the West Region and No. 16 in the nation in the D2SIDA Media Poll. At 5-1 in the CCAA, Chico State holds a percentage-points lead over Cal Poly Pomona (4-1) and Cal State San Marcos (3-1). Stanislaus State (5-2) and San Francisco State (4-2) round out the top five.
The Wildcats are pursuing their third conference crown in four seasons and fourth in the past seven. Much of that success can be traced back to their sensational home record. They have won 29 of their last 31 conference games played at Acker Gym, where they are 76-16 since the start of their 2011-12 CCAA Championship season.
Corey Silverstrom leads the 'Cats in scoring at 15.7 points per game, and assists, with 3.7. Meanwhile, Jalen McFerren, Justin Briggs, and Isaiah Ellis are all averaging better than 11 points and six rebounds per outing.
Cal State LA features the CCAA's most 3-point heavy offense. Forty-three percent of the Golden Eagles' field goal attempts have come from beyond the arc. They've made 10.5 threes per game, while attempting 27.4, on the way to a 7-5 start (3-4 CCAA). Garrett Carter leads the conference in 3-point percentage at .478. Jalyn Pennie anchors the defense and leads the conference with three blocked shots per game.
Cal State Dominguez Hills is 6-8 overall and 3-4 in the CCAA heading into Friday's game at Humboldt State. The Toros are coming out of the break with good momentum following a big win against UC San Diego last Tuesday. They are led by senior guard Jonathan Nichols (13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game) and freshmen Malcolm Johnson (10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game) and Deshay Gipson (10.2 ppg).
