Saturday night might mark the final chance for Chico State fans to see the sensational senior class of Isaiah Brooks, Joshua Curls, Malik Duffy, Colby Orr, and Kevin Warren in action at Acker Gym. Then again, it might not. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Wildcats appear to have the inside track to host the NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional. If you're coming, don't forget to bring a donation to help us pack the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry. This year, our goal is to collect a CCAA record 10,000 items!
 
Chico State is ranked No. 1 in the West Region rankings, released Wednesday afternoon. The same committee that decides those rankings is responsible for choosing the region's participants and seeds in the NCAA Tournament. That field will be unveiled on Sunday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m., Pacific. The Wildcats' 17-3 start (13-3 in the CCAA) has almost assured them a spot in that NCAA Tournament field, but exactly where they wind up seeded comes down to how they perform in their final two regular-season games this week—Thursday night against Cal State Dominguez Hills and Saturday night against Cal State East Bay—and in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament March 3-5 in Arcata.
 
Both of this week's home games are scheduled to tip at 7:30. The Wildcats' five seniors will be celebrated during the lead-up to Saturday night's game.
 
Regional seeding is not all that is on the line this week. The Wildcats are just one game behind West No. 2 Cal State San Bernardino in the race for the CCAA title. With at least one more win than the Coyotes this week, the Wildcats would claim their fourth conference title in the past 10 seasons at the top seed in the CCAA Tournament. Cal State San Bernardino is at San Francisco State Thursday night and at Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday afternoon.
 
In the race for second place and one of two first-round byes at the CCAA Tournament, they lead Cal State Monterey Bay by one game and Cal State San Marcos by a game-in-a-half.
 
Chico State takes a four-game winning streak into this week's challenging slate. The Wildcats are ranked No. 11 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll. Cal State Dominguez Hills has also won four in a row and enter the week in fifth place in the CCAA at 13-8 overall and 10-5 in the CCAA. Cal State East Bay has also been red hot, having won five of its last six games. At 9-13 overall and 7-9 in the CCAA, the Pioneers are among three teams battling for the conference's sixth and final postseason berth.
 
Both games will be broadcast locally and online on AM-1290 KPAY, and fans can keep up with the action via Live Stats. Live video broadcasts of the games, featuring play-by-play from AM-1290 KPAY's Mike Baca and Mike Wessels, are available for purchase on the CCAA Network. For $9.95 per month, fans can access every Chico State game—home and away—along with all live and archived CCAA matchups.
 
Links to streaming video, audio and Live Stats are available at www.chicowildcats.com in the calendar section on the homepage and on the men's basketball schedule page.
 
The Acker Gym spectator policy that was instituted at the beginning of February remains in effect, including vaccination or negative test requirements found HERE. Admission will be capped at 750 fans, with masks required inside the building.  
 
HELP US PACK THE PANTRY!
It's Chico State Athletics Pack the Pantry Week and we have set a big goal—10,000 items—which would break the record we set last year. We need your help to reach it. You can donate monetarily HERE and every dollar will count for two items. You can also drop off a donation at any of Chico State Athletics' 12 basketball, softball, and baseball games this weekend or at the Pantry itself Monday through Friday until 3 p.m., or by calling 530-898-4098 to make arrangements. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. Thank you for your support of Chico State's students, including student-athletes!