The No. 1 ranking in the West Region doesn't mean a ton this time of year. In this case, it means the Chico State men's basketball team is off to an impressive start (at 3-0) and that a bunch of athletics department communications directors working too late on a Saturday night recognize it. Still, it's pretty fun. 
 
Heading into their final non-conference tune-up Tuesday night at 7 against Pacific Union, the Wildcats are the top-ranked team in the Division II Sports Information Directors Association Regional Media Poll this week for the first time since December 18, 2017. The National rankings will come out on Tuesday. The Wildcats were ranked No. 19 last week.
 
Links to streaming video, audio, and live stats are all available on the schedule page and calendar section at www.chicowildcats.com. The game will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY. Tickets are on sale through the University Box Office and will be on sale at Acker Gym beginning Tuesday at 6 p.m. Please note that all fans (age 12 and older) attending Chico State basketball events must show proof of their fully vaccinated status or a negative COVID-19 test administered by a healthcare professional from within 72 hours of the start of the event. CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION AND COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS.
 
Chico State opened the season with wins against Seattle Pacific and Azusa Pacific at the Conference Crossover Challenge hosted by Cal Poly Pomona. They Wildcats won their 2021–22 home opener Wednesday against Academy of Art. Tuesday night's game against Pacific Union will be their final non-conference matchup of the regular season—they open California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action Saturday night at 7:30 at Stanislaus State—and their last home game until December 11.
 
Pacific Union is winless on the season at 0-4. The Wildcats have won all seven of the previous meetings between the teams, eclipsing the century mark the last two times they played in 2014 and 2016.
 
Thanks in large part to their defense (59.0 points allowed per game) the Wildcats are one of five unbeaten teams in the CCAA. D2SIDA No. 2 Cal State San Bernardino, No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona, No. 4 Cal State San Marcos, and unranked Humboldt State are as well.