California Collegiate Athletics Association

Chico State Predicted to Repeat as CCAA Men’s Basketball Champion

Nov 9, 2016

SAN RAMON – Two-time reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Champion Chico State was selected to claim the Conference’s Regular-Season Title for the second-straight season, following a poll of league coaches, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.

The Wildcats collected 138 points and received 11 first-place votes to finish ahead of UC San Diego and defending CCAA Tournament Champion Humboldt State. With just two points separating the two squads, the Tritons were predicted to finish second with 119 points and the Lumberjacks were picked to finish third with 117 points. 

UC San Diego and San Francisco State each received a first-place vote.

Cal Poly Pomona was tabbed fourth with 110 points, followed by Cal State San Bernardino (94), the Gators (89), Cal State LA (74), Cal State San Marcos (58), Stanislaus State (52), Cal State Monterey Bay (51), Sonoma State (40), Cal State Dominguez Hills (37) and Cal State East Bay (35).

Chico State is coming off of an outstanding 22-7 season, which included the program’s fifth-consecutive NCAA postseason appearance. In Conference play the Wildcats finished 16-4, improving head coach Greg Clinks overall record to 151-87 in his eight-year career.

The Wildcats bring back 10 members of last year’s squad, including defending CCAA Player of the Year and All-American Robert Duncan. Duncan averaged 15.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while totaling 107 assists and 44 steals during the 2015-16 season. Also returning this season are All-CCAA selections in junior forward Isaiah Ellis, junior guard Corey Silverstrom, and junior guard Jalen McFerren.

UCSD had a historical 2015-16 season, setting program records for overall wins (24-8) and CCAA victories (15-5). As a result, the Tritons qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament for just the second time since joining the CCAA in 2000 and advanced to the Sweet 16. Despite graduating one of last year’s top players, Drew Dyer, the Tritons return a majority of their starting rotation — 2015-16 CCAA Freshman of the Year Chris Hansen (center) and senior guards Adam Klie and Aleks Lipovic. 

With records of 21-9, and 12-8 against its CCAA foes, HSU snagged the programs 13th NCAA postseason bid. The Jacks also return a number of key players to this season’s roster, brining back seven letterwinners, including sophomore Calvin Young II who missed last season due to an injury and junior Malik Morgan.

11 of 13 CCAA institutions begin regular-season play on Friday, Nov. 11. Cal State Dominguez Hills and Stanislaus State will open CCAA play on Nov. 19 at the Ed and Berth Fitzpatrick Arena in Turlock.

Chico State debuted at No. 10 and leads all west region squads in the NABC/Division II preseason coaches poll. UC San Diego is received votes in the Nov. 1st rankings.

The 2017 Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament continues with its 8-team format with first round contests played at campus sites. The semifinal and final contests will also return to campus this season as Cal State San Marcos serves as the event's neutral site host. Tournament play is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Feb. 28, with semifinals and championship set for March 4-5 at The Sports Center.

 

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