Chico State men's basketball fans have started scanning the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings again. Back-to-back home wins to end a frustrating seven-game stretch have got the faithful thinking.
 
Here's what the standings reveal: the postseason is still within reach for the Wildcats, but there is little margin for error. A win Saturday at Stanislaus State would get them one step closer. A loss would be a tough blow to overcome.  
 
Tipoff in Turlock is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Mike Wessels 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.
 
At 7-9 overall and 6-9 in the CCAA, the Wildcats are currently in 10^th place. The top eight earn a berth in the CCAA Tournament. However, with a win Saturday, they would leapfrog ninth-place Stanislaus State (10-11 overall, 7-10 CCAA) and draw to within a game of eighth-place Cal State LA.
 
Chico State's coaching staff did not spend too much time perusing the standings page this week, however. The coaches were more concerned with the Wildcats' defense, which his surrendered 72 points per game on the road this season. As a result, they've dropped seven of nine away from home.
 
Traditionally one of the top defensive teams in the nation, the Wildcats currently ranked fifth in the CCAA in points allowed per game at 69.4.
 
The Wildcats got their first win of the season in their first meeting with Stanislaus State, way back on Dec. 6 in Chico. A 45-23 rebounding advantage keyed the 80-53 victory. They limited the Warriors to 35 percent shooting overall and 19 percent from 3-point range.