Nights like Tuesday are what college basketball players dream of. After 28 games, four months of practices, film sessions and workouts, and countless shots on their own in the gym, the members of the Chico State men's basketball team will play a well-earned playoff game in front of their beloved home crowd Tuesday at 7:30 in the opening round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament.
 
The Wildcats, who earned the No. 3 seed after tying for second place in the CCAA, host Stanislaus State, the No. 6 seed. Chico State is 22-6 overall and finished 17-5 conference play. Stanislaus State, 15-12 and 11-11, is the No. 6 seed.
 
Chico State's women, who earned the No. 4 seed, will take on Cal State East Bay at 5:30 to kick off what is sure to be a special night at Acker Gym.
 
Tickets for the doubleheader are now on sale at the University Box Office in Sierra Hall, located on the corner of 3rd and Chestnut streets. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket orders can also be called in at (530) 898-6333. The Acker Gym box office will open Tuesday at 4:30.
 
The first 300 students through the door on game night will be admitted free of charge.
 
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action locally on Newstalk 93.9 KPAY FM. Mike Baca and Mike Wessels' broadcast will be simulcast on the Internet through the Wildcat Athletics website, which will also feature Live Stats and live streaming video.
 
The winner of Tuesday's men's game will advance to the CCAA Tournament semifinals, set for Friday at RIMAC Arena on the campus of UC San Diego. The complete CCAA Tournament schedule can be found below.
 
Chico State and Stanislaus State split the season series. The Warriors beat the Wildcats 74-66 in the CCAA opener for both teams way back on November 21. Chico State returned the favor in both teams' regular-season finale on Saturday, beating Stanislaus State 78-77 in overtime.
 
The Wildcats have won five straight and were listed second "among others receiving votes" in last week's national top-25 poll. They were ranked No. 4 in the most recent NCAA Regional rankings. Eight teams from the West will hear they names called during the NCAA Championship Tournament selection show Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. Three of those teams will be the champions of the region's three conference tournaments: the CCAA; the Pacific West Conference; and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
 
Chico State is 6-2 all time in CCAA Tournament first-round games, including 4-1 at home. The Wildcats have reached the semifinals seven times since 2010 and reached the final four times in a row, from 2012 to 2015.
 
A win Tuesday would mark the eighth time in the 105-year history of the men's basketball program that the Wildcats have won 23 games or more.