Chico State Head Men's Basketball Coach Greg Clink will be the quickest leader in the program's history to reach 200 wins the next time the Wildcats earn a victory. He'd no doubt like to get there this Saturday when the Wildcats take on Humboldt State in Arcata.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Mike Baca will be courtside to call the play-by-play locally on Newstalk 1290-AM KPAY, with the action simulcast on the Internet through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video will also be available.
That has little to do with reaching a career milestone. Clink is more concerned with the Wildcats getting their first road win of the season after opening the campaign much later than expected (following three cancelations due to the Camp Fire) with losses at UC San Diego and San Francisco State, while continuing their forward momentum following a pair of home wins last week.
If the Wildcats play like they did in the friendly confines of Acker Gym in the two games following those road losses—lopsided victories against Stanislaus State (80-53) and Cal State East Bay (59-45)—they will certainly give themselves a chance Saturday night, though it's rarely easy to win on the road in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. And rarer, still, in Arcata.
With a win Saturday, Clink would become the fourth Chico State coach to reach 200, joining Art Acker (334), Puck Smith (287), and Pete Mathiesen (243).
All of those coaches enjoyed many spirited matchups with Humboldt State, Chico State's longest-running rival. Saturday night's game will mark the 204
th time they have played.
Chico State has won six in a row in the rivalry, which dates back to 1933, including the last three meetings in Arcata. The Wildcats lead the series 128–75.
But Humboldt State is enjoying a bit of a resurgence this season at 6-4, including 3-0 at home. The Lumberjacks lead the California Collegiate Athletic Association in scoring at 86.6 points per game. They are 3-2 in the CCAA.
Chico State, 2-2 overall and in the CCAA, leads the conference in defense, allowing only 61.8 points per game.
Saturday will mark the first of five straight road games for the Wildcats. They will be back in Chico, where they will play nine of their last 14 regular-season games, on Jan. 10, against Cal State Dominguez Hills.
