There's a common refrain in the hallways of the Acker Gym building where most of Chico State's coaches' offices are located. It is simply this: "Big week."
 
When competing for championships, as Chico State teams do year in and year out, every week feels important. This week for the Chico State men's basketball team is no exception. In fact, it feels even bigger than most.
 
Fresh off Wednesday's news that the Wildcats are ranked No. 4 in the first NCAA Regional Rankings, they'll wrap up their regular-season home schedule by taking on San Francisco State Thursday and Sonoma State Saturday. Both games, which are part of Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry week at Chico State, are scheduled to tip at approximately 7:30 p.m.
 
They might also have big repercussions. Just some of what is on the line for the Wildcats: furthering their NCAA Championship Tournament resume; clinching a first-round home game in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament; the race for second place in the CCAA standings; another 20-win season; and an opportunity to send center Justin Briggs home with a victory on Saturday's Senior Night.
 
Chico State enters the week with a record of 18-6, including 13-5 in the CCAA. One game behind two teams tied for second in the conference standings, Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona, the Wildcats can lock up a first-round home playoff game (set for March 3) with one more win. With two wins, they would secure their sixth 20-win season in the past seven years and seventh in the past nine.
 
Wins are also important if the Wildcats are to preserve or enhance their position in the NCAA Regional Rankings, which will eventually decide which teams will advance to the NCAA Championships Tournament—the winners of the CCAA, Great Northwest Athletic Conference, and Pacific West Conference postseason tournaments, and five at-large selections.
 
Both games will be broadcast locally on FM 93.9 KPAY. Links to streaming audio, streaming video, and live stats are available at www.chicowildcats.com.
 
San Francisco State enters Thursday night's contest 9-16 overall and 6-13 in the CCAA. The Wildcats won the first meeting between these teams this season, 83-69, on January 9 in San Francisco.
 
Seven different Wildcats drained triples in that win as they shot 15-of-28 from beyond the arc. Calvin Geraci and Isaiah Brooks were both 4-of-5 from downtown. Geraci finished with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and dished out a career-best five assists. 
 
Sonoma State is 5-19 and 4-15 but has come on strong of late, winning two of its last three. The Wildcats beat the Seawolves 73-48 on December 14 in Rohnert Park as Briggs, Joshua Hamilton and Kevin Warren dropped 15 points apiece.
 
 
Announcing the annual Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry drive!
Bring a donation to one of this week's basketball games, or drop it off at the Pantry
 
Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry Week is upon us as Chico State athletics competes with its fellow California Collegiate Athletic Association institutions in a friendly competition designed to raise awareness to the plight of those who face hunger and food insecurity on campuses and in communities surrounding the CCAA's 13 member institutions.
 
All donations to Chico State will go to the University's Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, founded in 2013 on the belief that all students should have access to healthy food. Since opening, the pantry has served thousands of students per year.
 
Tables will be set up to accept donations during this week's home basketball games—Thursday and Saturday night. Donations can also be made directly to the Food Pantry in Student Services Center 196.
 
All donations are accepted and appreciated. However, the Pantry aims to stock up on nutritious foods and items to support our Wildcats:

• Canned proteins (chicken, fish, beans, lentils)
• Canned soups
• Nutritious snacks/meal replacements (protein bars)
• Fresh produce (please take these directly to the Pantry, or bring to the games on Saturday)
• Personal hygiene products, especially tampons and sanitary napkins

This year marks the 10th annual CCAA food drive, which was implemented by members of the Student Athlete Advisory Committees of each institution.

"Our annual conference canned food drive has become a very competitive event amongst our institutions," remarked CCAA commissioner Mitch Cox. "Community service is the CCAA and Division 2 way, and all of our schools, from UC San Diego to Humboldt State, put forth their best effort to help those in need as evidenced by the 16,872 food items the conference collected last year."

In 2019, our Wildcat Family donated 2,323 items, placing just behind Cal State LA's 2,857 for the conference lead. In all, participation across the conference was up 9% from the year prior. In 2020, we hope to vault into first! Thanks to everyone on campus and in the community for giving generously to a cause that we care deeply about!