The men’s basketball season is dwindling down with only four more conference games to go until playoffs. The Wildcats are ranked third in conference just under Whitman and Whitworth.

The top four ranked teams in the conference move into the playoffs. Last year was the first time in seven years that the Wildcats had made it to playoffs.

“It’s been a great ride so far, but it’s far from over. We have high aspirations that we want to achieve,” Junior Riley Bruil said.

The Wildcats must beat both the Puget Sound Loggers on Feb. 9 and the Lewis and Clark Pioneers on Feb. 10 to keep their spot in the standings. The Loggers are ranked fourth just under the Wildcats. The Pioneers are ranked fifth in hunt for playoff contention.

Senior Jordan Clark said that the team is playing their best basketball of the season.

Following the Loggers and Pioneers weekend, the ’Cats will battle against the top two ranked teams: the Whitworth Pirates on Feb. 16 and the Whitman Blues on Feb 17.

The team had a devastating loss against the Whitman Blues Jan. 19 falling by only four points. Whitman is ranked first in the conference and holds a perfect season record.

The ’Cats fell early in the season to the Pacific Boxers down by 15 points. But the Wildcats returned the favor in early January by punching out the Boxers 83-48 hitting the Boxers back with double the points they fell by previously.

“The contagious energy, spirit, and high-level play that everyone has on this team is making it a memorable one. Having different guys step up every game is a big reason we are having success. Most of all, we are having fun, bonding and competing with each other every day,” Bruil said.

Linfield has been able to prevail against all opponents except Whitman, Whitworth and the early season loss to Pacific.

“I feel as if we have grown and matured a ton over the course of the season. And the way in which we are beating our opponents is clear evidence of that,” Clark said