Now that midterms and winter break are over, it’s time for the real examinations.
Cal Baptist University’s men’s basketball team will test its 10-0 home record with three home games over a six-day stretch. The first contest was Wednesday night against Dixie State, and the next two games are Saturday (vs. Utah Valley) and Monday (vs. Seattle University) at the CBU Events Center.
“We’ve got to get our feet underneath us, figure out what we stand for defensively, and I think the offense will come,” CBU head coach Rick Croy said. “We need everyone on the glass, rebounding, pulling it in, boxing out, pursuing the ball and just playing with a lot of passion.”
The Lancers (10-4 overall, 0-1 WAC) were the first NCAA Division I program to 10 home wins with their 94-41 rout of the University of La Verne on Dec. 28, and they are currently one of eight teams with double-digit wins and an undefeated record at home.
Kentucky and Indiana are tied at 11-0, while CBU was tied with Texas, LSU, Providence, Wake Forest and San Francisco at 10-0 entering this week.
“I think we have a really good group of players, (and) they proved that through the non-conference,” Croy said. “Our guys are excited to get back to it against a really competitive Dixie program we’ve had battles with over the years.”
The Lancers also Utah Valley at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, and Seattle University at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17. All games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
CANCELLATIONS & POLICY CHANGES
Cal Poly Pomona and Riverside City College are among the local collegiate athletic programs that have been forced to cancel or postpone games and matches in January because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols, while the University of Redlands has updated guidelines through the end of the month.
The Broncos’ men’s basketball team canceled its game against San Francisco State and its much-anticipated rivalry game against No. 6 Cal State San Bernardino, and the women’s team had its game against Cal State Monterey Bay dropped from the schedule.
RCC’s men’s basketball team postponed Orange Empire Conference games against Orange Coast, Cypress and Saddleback. The women’s team had its games against Golden West and Santa Ana postponed until rescheduling dates can be determined.
Redlands announced it will not allow spectators at indoor athletic events at Currier Gym. The women’s basketball team’s game against Chapman University on Monday, Jan. 10 was the first under the new policy that will be in effect for at least eight more Bulldogs men’s and women’s basketball games.
SCALMANINI WINS 400th GAME
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men’s basketball coach Ken Scalmanini earned the 400th victory of his coaching career when the Stags won their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener against Whittier College on Jan. 1.
The winningest coach in CMS men’s basketball history, Scalmanini has compiled 10 conference titles and a 401-181 record (.689 winning percentage) over 23 seasons.
This season the Stags (10-1 overall, 2-0 SCIAC) have won eight consecutive after defeating Occidental College 70-58 on Saturday, Jan. 8.
CHAVEZ CHOOSES CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY
Riverside City College’s record-setting kicker, Ricardo Chavez, one of the most sought-after special teams players in the country, has made the decision to attend FCS powerhouse Campbell University in North Carolina.
Owner of the two longest field goals in California Community College Athletic Association history, Chavez made his decision live on Instagram on Monday, Jan. 10. He also had scholarship offers from San Diego State, Portland State and Indiana State, among others.
Chavez, a Valley View High School graduate, made a 56-yard field goal at home on Sept. 18. to eclipse the previous CCCAA record, and he set a new mark with a 59-yarder in the state championship game against City College of San Francisco on Dec. 12.
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