Following an impressive season-opening showing against two of the top teams in the NCAA West Region, the Chico State men's basketball team takes its show back on the road this week for its final tune-ups before the start of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play. The Wildcats head to the Bay Area Wednesday to take on Holy Names at 5:30 p.m., then go head-to-head with Academy of Art Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Fans can follow the action of Wednesday's game locally on KPAY Sports 1290-AM, with Mike Baca's broadcast simulcast on the Internet. There will be no local or Internet broadcast for Saturday's contest. Live streaming video (fee required) and Live Stats for both games will also be available online; links can be found on the Wildcats Athletics website home page or the men's basketball schedule page.
 
Chico State enters the week 1-1 on the season after splitting its two Conference Crossover Challenge contests last weekend in Azusa. The Wildcats came up short Friday against Seattle Pacific 84-79, but rebounded Saturday with a big 81-74 victory over Pacific West Conference favorite Azusa Pacific.
 
The 'Cats are looking to improve and tighten up their attack against this week's Bay Area opponents, as Chico State prepares for its November 26 CCAA (and home) opener against Stanislaus State.
 
The Wildcats are averaging a healthy 80 points a game to open the season while knocking down 19 3-pointers over their first two contests. Joshua Hamilton leads the offense, averaging 19 points a game, with four other 'Cats —Jojo Murphy (11.5 points per game), Isaiah Holm (11.0 ppg), Brennan Wheeler (10.5 ppg), and Miles Daniels (10.0 ppg) —all boasting double-digit scoring averages. Wheeler is Chico State's top 3-point shooting threat, knocking down six treys in the early going.
 
Holy Names, which hosts the Wildcats Wednesday, will be looking for its first win of the season. The Hawks are 0-2 after losing close contests last weekend in Lacey, Washington against Montana State Billings and Saint Martin's University.
 
Holy Names was picked to finish 11th in the PacWest 2022­-23 preseason coaches poll.
 
Chico State has won all seven matchups in the all-time series with Holy Names. Wednesday will mark the first time in three years the two teams have squared off, with the Wildcats winning the last meeting with the Hawks 69-54 November 16, 2019 at Acker Gym.
 
Academy of Art, which takes on Chico State Saturday following a Wednesday road tilt at Cal State East Bay, is 2-0 out of the gate thanks to wins last weekend over San Francisco State and Sonoma State at the PacWest/CCAA Challenge in San Rafael.
 
The Urban Knights, picked to finish third in the PacWest preseason coaches poll, are looking to repeat its 2021-22 success. Academy of Art posted a 20-12 record, won the PacWest Conference Championship Tournament, and reached the NCAA West Regional, where Chico State ended their season with a 78-61 win in the tournament's opening round.
 
The Wildcats are a perfect 7-0 against the Urban Knights in the all-time series between the two teams.