It has been almost two years (608 days to be exact) since the Chico State men's basketball team took the court for a game. Facing second-ranked UCLA—a Final Four team last year—in front of a national television audience on the Pac-12 Network is quite an opportunity to jump back into things. The Wildcats know a huge challenge is ahead, but they can't wait.
The exhibition game will tip off Thursday at 7 p.m. The Pac-12 Network.
CLICK HERE to check availability in your area. The game will also be broadcast locally on KPAY Sports 1290 AM Radio, with Mike Baca handling the play-by-play beginning with the Wildcats pregame show at 6:35 p.m. That broadcast is also available online, with the link available on the Chico State men's basketball schedule page and on the calendar section of the homepage at
www.chicowildcats.com.
The Bruins are the preseason Pac-12 favorites and ranked No. 2 in the nation in both major polls. They return all 10 players who competed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, including the starting five of Tyger Campbell, Jules Bernard, Johnny Juzang, Jamie Jaquez Jr., and Cody Riley.
Chico State did not play a single game last year. In fact, outside of five weeks of limited in-person activity in late March, the team was only together virtually. However, that does not mean the Wildcats are without any experience. Nine players return from the 2019–20 team that was selected for the program's seventh NCAA Tournament berth in nine seasons before the event was cancelled due to COVID-19. That group includes returning starters Malik Duffy, Isaiah Brooks and Kevin Warren, as well as reserves Colby Orr, Joshua Hamilton, Brennan Wheeler, Joshua Curls, and Andrew Parker.
As a result, the California Collegiate Athletic Association's coaches have picked Chico State as the favorite to win the conference title according to the preseason coaches' poll. The Wildcats are among "others receiving votes" in the National Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll.
Health and Safety Protocols to know if you're going
According to its website, UCLA Athletic indoor events will require fans (age 3 and older) in attendance to show proof of their fully-vaccinated status or provide a pre-entry negative COVID-19 test result from within 72 hours of the start of the event. This policy is in effect for all UCLA indoor home events. Face coverings will be required for all individuals aged 2 or older, regardless of vaccination status. For more information,
CLICK HERE.
