It has been a long and wonderful ride for Keith Datu, Nate Ambrosini, and Marvin Timothy as part of the Chico State men's basketball program. And though without two victories in this final week of the regular season and some help from around the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Saturday's Senior Night against Sonoma State will mark the final game of their collegiate careers, the ride will continue.
 
The trio will always be a celebrated part of the Wildcats men's basketball family.
 
Ambrosini, Datu, and Timothy arrived at Chico State as true freshmen in the fall of 2014. All three redshirted that season and made their Chico State debuts during the 2015-16 campaign. That team won its second consecutive CCAA title and earned its fourth straight NCAA Championship Tournament berth, finishing with a record of 22-7.
 

As good as that season was, the next one was even better. In fact, those three played a key role in what to this point is perhaps the greatest season in the history of the program. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Championship Tournament Elite Eight for the second time ever and won a school-record 26 games.  
In all, the three have been a part of 77 victories, a CCAA Championship, two NCAA Championship Tournament berths, and an NCAA Championship West Regional title, heading into the final days of the regular season.
 
The Wildcats will host San Francisco State Thursday night and Sonoma State Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m. and will broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 AM and 102.9 FM KPAY, and simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video will also be available online.
 
Chico State enters the contests with a record of 9-12 overall and 8-12 in the CCAA. In order to advance to the postseason, it appears the Wildcats need the following to qualify for the CCAA Tournament: two wins; two Humboldt State losses (against Sonoma State Thursday and San Francisco State Saturday); and Cal State East Bay to finish ahead of UC San Diego in the final standings. However, postseason berths only become official once announced by the CCAA office following Saturday's contests.
 
San Francisco State, 16-9 overall and 12-8 in the CCAA, has already locked up a CCAA Tournament berth. However, the Gators are currently tied for fourth and hoping to earn a first-round home game with a top-four finish.
 
Sonoma State enters Thursday's game at Humboldt State with a record of 8-16 overall and 6-14 in the CCAA.