Chico State Men's Basketball To Start 26-27 Season

Head coach Cevin Meador leads the squad following an 8-19 finish last year as they prepare for a fresh campaign.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball

Chico State Men's Basketball To Start 26-27 Season

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The Chico State men's basketball team is gearing up for the 26-27 season with a roster featuring eight returners and five new recruits. The squad aims to improve on their 8-19 overall performance from the 25-26 season.

Why it matters

The team seeks a competitive turnaround after struggling through a 6-16 conference record last year. The revamped lineup is designed to prioritize a faster pace and increased defensive intensity to boost their standing.

The roster features eight returning players and five new additions. Key defensive metrics from last season include 37 steals by Michael Wilson and 22 steals by Donjae Lindsay.

The players

Cevin Meador

He serves as the head coach for the Chico State men's basketball team and is tasked with implementing a new high-intensity system.

Blake Lander

A transfer from Southern Miss, he is expected to serve as one of the primary scoring threats for the team this season.

Robel Zemmo

He is projected to take over the starting point guard position and manage the offense for the upcoming campaign.

Donjae Lindsay

A transfer from Stanislaus State, he provides the team with proven defensive experience at the guard position.

Michael Wilson

He joins the roster as a transfer from Dominican and adds significant defensive pressure to the backcourt rotation.

The details

Coach Cevin Meador has integrated three transfers, including Blake Lander, Donjae Lindsay, and Michael Wilson, who are expected to help establish a more aggressive style of play. While last season's top performer Chris Holley is now playing professionally and senior Ned Joyce has departed, the team expects Robel Zemmo to step up as the starting point guard.

The 25-26 season saw the team post an 8-19 record.
The 26-27 season marks the upcoming year for Chico State basketball.
Nov. 13 is the date for the first home game against Western Washington.

Season Trajectory

The upcoming season represents a critical pivot point for the program as it looks to climb out of the lower ranks of the conference. Success early in the year will be essential to changing the team's standing compared to the 25-26 California Collegiate Athletic Association conference standings.

Fans can look to the tournament at Nicholson Arena for the first test of how the team's new defensive-focused rotation performs under game conditions. Maintaining low turnover counts, similar to Robel Zemmo's 19-turnover mark from last year, will be vital for the team's efficiency in the non-conference opening games.

The takeaway

The team is emphasizing defensive intensity and team-first basketball to overcome last season's struggles. Integrating new transfers effectively will be the primary factor in determining their success throughout the upcoming schedule.