CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2023-24 Cascade Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball season gets into full action this week.
All 12 teams will battle for the regular-season championship and the CCC’s first automatic qualifier (AQ) to the NAIA National Tournament. The second AQ will be awarded to the winner of the CCC Men’s Basketball Tournament, presented by U.S. Bank., starting on Feb. 28.
College of Idaho was chosen to defend its crown in the
CCC Preseason Poll. Last year, they earned the CCC regular season and tournament title and are currently ranked No. 2 in the latest
NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. C of I completed its non-conference slate with a 5-1 record, including a 72-57 win against NCAA Dll Northwest Nazarene University and a triple digit victory over University of Antelope Valley (100-80). They only suffered a 94-67 loss to Vanguard University. The team currently holds the largest scoring margin (+10.5) and rebound margin (+11.2) in the league, along with leading in steals (9.5 Avg/G) and blocks (5.3 Avg/G). The Yotes head down to face Southern Oregon University and Oregon Tech to open their conference season this weekend. Last season, they went undefeated in the CCC.
Oregon Tech also enters conference play with an impressive 5-1 record and is currently receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. They had several big games against strong competition including a 91-90 overtime victory over 2023 NAIA semifinalist, Ottawa University of Arizona and a 85-83 defeat of (RV) Bethel University (Ind.). OIT has only lost one to No. 1-ranked Grace College (84-69) to prove they are prepared to be a strong contender. The team currently leads the conference in field goal percentage (.492). The Owls will begin their regular season this weekend battling the two top picked teams in the CCC, Eastern Oregon University and College of Idaho. Last season, they lost to both teams all four times.
Multnomah is holding onto its top spot in the conference with a 4-1 record and a 78-75 defeat over Warner Pacific University last Tuesday in the first official CCC men’s basketball game of the 2023-24 season. This marked the first time the Lions outscored the Knights since 2018. Multnomah also recorded a triple digit victory over NCAA Dlll Willamette University (114-97) to open its season and only has one two-point loss to University of Providence (95-93). The team is currently leading the CCC in scoring, averaging 86.4 points per game. The Lions continue its conference season this weekend, hosting Corban University and Bushnell University.
Bushnell University heads into CCC action with an even 3-3 record and has sparked many conversations within the conference with a familiar roster. While having a majority of returners, the experienced team is ready to create a historic season. Bushnell put up a large 105-54 win over NCAA Dlll Linfield University and its only losses came from tough battles against highly ranked opponents, including No. 1 Grace College, No. 5 Arizona Christian University, and (RV) Bethel University (Ind.). The team is currently leading the league in three-point shooting, hitting .390 from deep. The Beacons tip off their conference season in Portland, Ore., facing Warner Pacific University and Multnomah.
Corban University also started the season with an even record of 2-2. They defeated NCAA Dlll Pacific University (86-68). They fell in overtime to University of Providence (82-77). Last season, Corban earned an At-Large bid to the NAIA Tournament before falling in the Opening Round. The Warriors will play their first conference games of the season this weekend against Multnomah and Warner Pacific University.
Warner Pacific University fell to Multnomah in the first conference game of the season by a close score of 78-75. Warner Pacific holds a 2-4 record, winning 90-87 over University of Providence. The team currently leads the CCC in free throws (.780) and has the leading scorer, Matt Solomon who already has 106 points on the year. The Knights continue its conference season this weekend, hosting Bushnell University and Corban University.
Southern Oregon University has a 2-3 record prior to the tip off of the CCC season. They had a difficult pre conference schedule, resulting in a large 101-64 win over Cal Maritime and a 78-61 loss to No. 8 Montana Tech. Last season, Southern Oregon earned an At-Large bid to the NAIA Tournament before falling in the Opening Round. The team currently has allowed opponents the least points (64.8 Avg/G) and leads the conference in assists (17.2 Avg/G). The Raiders are set for much anticipated match ups against the two top picked teams in the CCC, College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon University.
Eastern Oregon University was chosen as the second team in the CCC preseason poll but has had a slow start to the season. With a 1-4 record, they are currently at the bottom of the conference standings. Eastern Oregon’s one win was in overtime over Carroll College (73-69) and their losses were handed by strong competition including No. 5 Arizona Christian University (104-98) and No. 8 Montana Tech (78-65). The Mounties head down to face Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon University this weekend for a long awaited conference opener.
Lewis-Clark State College begins the season with a 2-4 record. LC State recorded a 75-67 win over Montana Western and dropped close games to tough opponents including No. 5 ranked Arizona Christian University (81-70) and No. 8 Montana Tech (79-55). The Warriors will host Northwest University tonight and The Evergreen State College tomorrow to start off conference play.
Walla Walla University is managing a 1-3 record. They took its first victory of the season against NCAA Dlll Whitman College (80-76). Walla Walla’s competitive losses this year included multiple tight two-point battles. The Wolves will tip off the CCC season, hosting The Evergreen State College tonight and Northwest University tomorrow. Last season, the team's one win was over Evergreen.
Northwest University enters the season with a 1-4 record. Northwest started the season with a large 108-50 win over Portland Bible College before falling in the remaining games to strong teams including Vanguard University (91-69). The Eagles hit the road to begin the CCC season against Lewis-Clark State College tonight and Walla Walla University tomorrow.
The Evergreen State College also holds a 1-4 record heading into the CCC season. Evergreen’s whole schedule was full of strong NCAA Dlll opponents and they recorded one win over Willamette University (85-82). The Geoducks hit the road to tip off conference action against Walla Walla University tonight and Lewis-Clark State College tomorrow.
In the latest episode of
Cascade Connects, Commissioner Rob Cashell talks with the No. 1 CCC Men’s Basketball preseason favorite, College of Idaho head coach Colby Blaine and star student-athlete Paul Wilson. Hear what the Yotes have to say about their previous success and the future of CCC Basketball.
Find the full episode on:
CCC Website l
YouTube l
Apple l
Spotify
CCC Game of the Week: Vote for which matchup you are most excited for on Twitter.