By Kevin Gilmore

The calendar says that March is a fortnight away, but for the California State University, Monterey Bay men’s basketball team, March Madness has already begun. The Otters head into the final two weeks of February in a furious scrum for a chance to earn a tournament featuring eight teams battling for the final four places in the CCAA Championship Tournament.

The winner of the CCAA Championship Tournament earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament beginning Mar. 10.

“Listen, I’m not one to look too far ahead. I don’t study the standings, or know the ins and outs of the postseason tie breakers,” says CSUMB head coach Isaac Williams, who led the Otters to their best record ever at the NCAA level in 2022 at 13–9 overall and 12–6 in the CCAA. “What I know is that after starting conference play 1–6, these guys have played their way into playoff contention, and if we win against whoever the next opponent on the schedule is, our odds will increase.” 

With five games remaining for the Otters over the next two weeks, one almost needs an advanced degree in differential calculus to figure out all of the possible permutations that will earn CSUMB a coveted postseason bid. The most simple solution is this: Win all five games and the Otters are in. Losing two or even three games isn’t a death sentence, but it makes the math a lot more complicated.

“Just making the postseason for the second time in a row with a roster that includes 10 freshmen or sophomores would mean that our program is taking steps towards our ultimate goal of being perennially amongst the best teams in our region,” says Williams.

The road to March Madness begins tonight, Feb. 16, when the Otters head to Turlock looking for a season sweep of Stanislaus State. They’ll also head to Chico State Saturday night, looking to complete a season sweep of the Wildcats.

They return home beginning Monday, Feb. 20, and that’s where the Otters need your help to make their final push. The team will be looking for a big turnout to help win three games in six days that, if the good lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise, will keep them playing into March.

The week begins when CSUMB continues its game against No. 12 ranked Cal State San Bernardino that began on Dec. 3. A roof leak during the historic storm caused the game to be paused with San Bernardino clinging to a 42–36 lead and 1:32 remaining in the first half. The game will continue from there, beginning at 1 p.m.

The weekend will bring the final two home games of the season, starting Thursday (Feb. 23) with the Battle of the Bays against Cal State East Bay. Cal State Dominguez Hills visits Saturday for Senior Day, when Levi Frankland, J.R. Schilling and Jared Williams play their final collegiate home games.

“We have three straight home games to close out the regular season and it is my hope that the CSUMB students and the surrounding community members who support our program will show up and cheer as loud as possible,” says Williams. “It also will be the last time our three seniors will get to play in the Kelp Bed. They’re all unbelievable ambassadors of our program, university and campus community. Let’s send them out with a bang!”

Remember, admission to Otter home games is free to all CSUMB students, faculty and staff. Come help us #MakeWaves in the Kelp Bed.

Stay up to date on all our games and news by visiting the Otter Athletics website.