It might mark the start of a magical run. It could be the end of the line for a special group of three seniors. The tension is already palpable. It is that combination that makes the postseason special. The Chico State men's basketball team will attempt to keep that tension mounting well into March, beginning with its California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament opener versus Cal State San Bernardino Tuesday night at Acker Gym.
 
Chico State finished the regular season with a record of 19-7 and earned the No. 2 seed in the CCAA Tournament with a 16-6 conference record. The Wildcats host a Cal State San Bernardino squad that came on strong down the stretch, winning six of its last nine games and four of its last five on the road to finish 13-13 overall and earn the No. 7 seed in the CCAA Tournament with a conference record of 11-11.
 
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., following the Chico State women's basketball team's first-round game against Cal State LA at 5:30. Both games will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290-AM KPAY with the broadcast simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and streaming video will also be available through the Wildcat Athletics homepage and the men's and women's basketball schedule pages.
 
Tickets will be available at the University Box Office Tuesday at 10 a.m. or by calling (530) 898-6333.
 
Chico State student tickets for the postseason are $3 with a valid ID, but the Athletic Department will foot the bill for the first 200 students at Acker Gym Tuesday night with a valid Chico State ID. The ticket window will open at 4:30.
 
Chico State basketball ticket prices are: $10 for Section A-G (seatback seating); $8 for general admission; $3 for Chico State students with a valid ID (after the first 200 with valid ID get in free); $5 for seniors 60 and older and visiting students with ID; $3 for children 3-17 years old; and children 2 and younger get in free.
 
The winner of Tuesday's quarterfinal advances to the semifinals set for Kellogg Arena at Cal Poly Pomona on Friday against the winner of third-seeded UC San Diego and No. 6 Stanislaus State.
 
Chico State swept the season series against Cal State San Bernardino, winning 83-64 on Dec. 3 in San Bernardino, and 65-57 on Jan. 11 in Chico.
 
With Chico State's hopes for a seventh straight NCAA Tournament berth still very much in the air, a win is crucial to keep the Wildcats' season alive. Seniors Corey Silverstrom, Jalen McFerren and Isaiah Ellis have helped lead the Wildcats to 89 victories over the past three-plus seasons—third most by any senior group in the program's history—along with two CCAA regular-season titles and a West Region crown.
 
Tuesday, they begin their quest for the program's first CCAA Tournament title and the automatic NCAA Tournament bid that goes along with it.
 
2017-18 CCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
First Round – Tuesday, Feb. 27 (campus sites – higher seed hosts)
#1 Cal Poly Pomona vs. #8 Cal State Dominguez Hills at 7:30 p.m.
#2 Chico State vs. #7 Cal State San Bernardino at 7:30 p.m.
#3 UC San Diego vs. #6 Stanislaus State at 7:30 p.m.
#4 Cal State San Marcos vs. #5 San Francisco State at 7 p.m.

Semifinals – Friday, March 2
* 12:05 p.m. – Cal Poly Pomona/Cal State Dominguez Hills winner vs. Cal State San Marcos/San Francisco State winner
* 2:35 p.m. – Chico State/Cal State San Bernardino winner vs. UC San Diego/Stanislaus State winner

Final – Saturday, March 3
* 5:05 p.m. – Championship game
 
*Times are subject to change; If the Cal Poly Pomona men advance to the semifinals, but the women do not, game sessions will flip-flop, with the women playing first both days.