In Tuesday night's postgame press conference following the Chico State men's basketball team's fourth straight win to start season, point guard Isaiah Brooks was asked what goals he had for 2021–22. Boiled down to its essence, Brooks' answer was: "We want to win championships."
 
The first championship available to the Wildcats is the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championship. The path to it is long and arduous, and crowded with contenders, and begins with the conference opener Saturday at Stanislaus State in Turlock. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 (following the women's game at 5:30). Fans can follow the action via the CCAA Network Livestream or listen to Mike Baca's call locally on AM-1290 KPAY and streaming online. Those links, along with one for live stats, can be found on the men's basketball schedule page and the calendar section on the homepage at www.chicowildcats.com.
 
The CCAA's coaches picked Chico State as the favorite to win the conference title in their annual preseason poll. While the 4-0 Wildcats—ranked No. 12 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and D2SIDA Media Poll—have done nothing to dissuade them, many others have impressed as well. Through Tuesday night, CCAA teams have gone a combined 26-16 against competitors from the other two Division II West Region conferences. Cal Poly Pomona (No. 11), Chico State (No. 12) and Cal State San Bernardino (No. 21) are all 4-0 and ranked in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25. Cal State San Marcos and Humboldt State are also off to 4-0 starts.
 
It is clear that every single game the Wildcats play for the rest of the regular season will be crucial to those title hopes. The last 10 times the CCAA featured a 22-game conference schedule, it has taken an average of 18.7 wins to claim the crown. The Wildcats last won the conference title in 2016. They also won it in 2012 and 2015.
 
Stanislaus State (2-3) is coming off consecutive wins against Dominican and Academy of Art. The Warriors' defense has been especially strong of late, having held those to opponents to a combined 102 points while holding them both to sub-40% shooting.
 
Chico State is looking to move to 5-0 for the first time since 2011, which would match the program's best start since 1942-43 squad started 10-0. Isaiah Brooks is hoping to make a little history as well Saturday. The senior guard has 258 career assists and needs four more to catch Corey Silverstrom for 10^th in Chico State history.
 
Brooks is third in the CCAA in assists per game (4.8) and assist-to-turnover ratio (3.8). Kelvin Wright, Jr. leads the CCAA in field goal percentage (.724) and blocked shots per game (1.8). The sophomore forward ranks third in rebounds per game (8.8) and Kevin Warren ranks third in points per game (19.0).
 
Team-wise, the Wildcats rank second in the conference in points allowed per game (59.3 points) and first in blocked shots per game (4.0).
 
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Fans considering attending Saturday's game should familiarize themselves with the Stanislaus State ticketing and attendance policies beforehand.