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SEASIDE, Calif. -- The Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team concludes its 2011-12 season with a pair of games that have major postseason implications. The week begins at CCAA co-leader Chico State Thursday (Feb. 23). The Otters will then play at Cal State Stanislaus Friday (Feb. 24). Stanislaus needs to win twice this week to guarantee itself a CCAA Tournament bid.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: Chico State enters Thursday's game having won six of its last seven and nine of its last 11. With two wins this week (Chico plays East Bay on Friday), the Wildcats will clinch at least a share of the CCAA title and the No. 1 seed in the CCAA Tournament. Chico features a balanced attack with its top three scorers averaging between 11.8 and 10.1 points per game. Damario Sims tops the list. Point guard Jay Flores may be the team's best player. He's No. 2 in the CCAA with 100 assists (3.8 apg) and leads Chico with 36 steals.

WHEN LAST WE MET: Although Chico ended up winning this game by 21, the 82–61 final was not indicative of how close the game was. Chico led by just six points at the half (40–34) and it was still a four–point game (56–62) inside the 11–minute mark before a late Wildcat run sealed the deal. Junior guard Brandon Ward (Riverside/Woodcrest HS) led CSUMB with a (then) career high 26 points. Damario Sims led four Wildcats in double figures with 16.

ABOUT LAST WEEK: In their penultimate home game of 2011–12, the Otters let their Feb. 17 game with UC San Diego slip away late in the first half of an 80–67 setback. Despite five Otters scoring in double figures, CSUMB couldn't get closer than 11 in the second half. But the Otters bounced back Saturday to shock the CCAA with a stirring 72–66 overtime win against conference contender Cal State San Bernardino. Brandon Ward led the way with 23 points, including a trey with 11 second left that sent the game to overtime.

Chico, meanwhile, had a chance to take the CCAA by the scruff of the neck but fell 66–60 at Cal State L.A. to drop back into a tie for the conference lead. The Wildcats bounced back with a 66–57 win at Dominguez Hills Saturday night to maintain a share of first place.

A FLY IN THE OINTMENT: After all but eliminating Cal State San Bernardino from CCAA title contention, the Otters can be a fly in the ointment for Chico State this week as well. Although there are scenarios where Chico can lose a game and still win its first CCAA crown, a win Thursday by CSUMB will make that task much more difficult for the Wildcats.

QUINTUPLETS: Five Otters scored in double figures last week against UC San Diego: Derrick Anderson (12), Kevin Loustale (14), Geoff McIntosh (14), James Thomas (13) and Brandon Ward (10). It was the first time since a 99–88 win at Cal State Stanislaus on Jan. 30, 2009 that the Otters accomplished that feat.

DOUBLE DOUBLE DOUBLES: Both Kevin Loustale (14 pts, 11 reb) and Derrick Anderson (12 pts, 10 reb) posted double–doubles last week versus UC San Diego. It marked the first time that has happened since Joe Mitchell 12 pts, 13 reb) and Dante Green (11 pts, 10 reb) did it against Alaska–Anchorage on Nov. 18, 2008. That's a span of 105 games.

WHARTON ON THE REBOUND: Pressed into action as a starting forward for the first time, freshman guard Courtland Wharton (San Bernardino/Aquinas HS) responded by grabbing a season–high 12 rebounds Tuesday against Cal State East Bay. They were the fourth–most rebounds by an Otter this season. Remembering his guard pedigree, Wharton also passed a personal–best four assists.

WARD ON A ROLL: Brandon Ward has carried his share of the offensive load for the Otters this season, leading the team in scoring 13 times, including eight of the last nine games. He's scored in double figures in 10 of the last 11 games (including five 20+ point games), averaging 18.4 points per game over that span of 11 games.

THE MONTEREY BAY 500: Brandon Ward's final bucket Dec. 10 at Notre Dame de Namur put him in exclusive company. It lifted the junior guard over 500 career points (501). Ward became just the 16th Otter to reach that plateau. He enters Thursday's game with 796 points, good for the No. 9 spot. Next up is Augie Johnston (848) in eighth. Matt Dalhamer owns the Otter record with 1,075 career points.

START ME UP: By starting Saturday's game against Cal State San Bernardino, Brandon Ward continued his steady climb up the CSUMB career starts top 10 list. Ward made his 68th Otter start that night, moving him past Matt Dalhamer into the No. 3. Should Ward start all 26 regular season games in 2011–12, he would end the season with 70 career starts, No. 3 on the all–time list and just six off the record held by current assistant coach Joe Mitchell. Also of note, Derrick Anderson made his 61st career start Saturday night and holds sole possession of No. 5 on the CSUMB career list.

THE WARD GIVETH… Brandon Ward totalled eight assists versus UCSD and San Bernardino last week, bringing his career total to 182 assists, moving him past current Assistant Coach Joe Mitchell (180) for the No. 2 spot.

…AND THE WARD TAKETH AWAY: Brandon Ward added one steal to his larder versus San Bernardino. He continues to hold the No. 5 spot with 70 steals. Next up in fourth place and Steve Monreal with 79 steals. Current Assistant Coach Joe Mitchell holds the record with 91 steals.

OTTERS AMONG THE CCAA LEADERS: Several Otters entered this week's action ranked among the CCAA leaders. Here are the numbers and ranking entering the week for CSUMB players ranked in the top 10:
WORKING OVERTIME: One area where the Otters have excelled in the Rob Bishop Era is in overtime. CSUMB improved to 2–0 this season and 6–1 overall when playing bonus basketball under Bishop

NOW THAT'S SMARTS: The Otter men's basketball team boasted three players who earned CCAA All–Academic honors for their classroom work in 2010–11. The Otter triumvirate of James Albert, Brenden Fripp and Brandon Ward made CSUMB the only school to place three men's basketball players on the list. In case you were wondering, Albert posted a 3.65 grade point average as a business administration major. Ward posted a 3.90 GPA as a business administration major.