This is not exactly the position the Chico State men's basketball team planned to be in at this point in the season. However, there is one thing the Wildcats really like about it. They are home for three straight and five of their next six games beginning Thursday night against UC San Diego.
 
Cal State San Marcos visits Saturday night.
 
Mike Baca will be courtside to provide the play-by-play, broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290-AM and 102.9 FM KPAY, and simulcast on the Internet via www.chicowildcats.com. Links to live stats and live streaming video will also be available online.
 
The Wildcats have dropped to 5-8 overall and 4-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) by losing three straight and five of their last six. With 10 games remaining in the regular season—including seven in Acker Gym—they have some work to do to reach the postseason.
 
Historically, there's been no place like home for the Wildcats to get that work done. They are 3-1 in Acker Gym this season and 30-3 at home since the start of the 2016–17 campaign. In the 10-plus seasons since Greg Clink took the program's reins, the Wildcats have gone 109-37 in the friendly confines of Acker Gym.
 
It may come as a bit of a surprise to many, but the last time a Chico State team lost three in a row was only one year ago. And that team responded by reeling off seven straight wins (with five coming at home). The Wildcats would certainly enjoy starting a similar streak Thursday night.
 
That will be a challenge against 13^th-ranked UC San Diego, which currently sits atop the CCAA standings at 10-1. The Tritons are 15-3 overall, and beat the Wildcats 84-68 in La Jolla in Chico State's first game of the season after having numerous games and practices canceled during and after the Camp Fire.
 
Cal State San Marcos, which beat the Wildcats 67-61 on Jan. 5 in San Marcos, enters Thursday night's game at Humboldt State with a record of 4-13 overall and 1-10 in the CCAA.
 
The Wildcats are currently tied for 10^th place in the conference standings, but only two games out of CCAA Tournament positioning.