CHADRON - Lots of marbles will be on the line for the Chadron State College men's and women's basketball teams when they play at Colorado Christian on Friday night and at Colorado Mines on Saturday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference battles.
 
After winning three straight games, the CSC men are in contention for one of the eight slots in the RMAC postseason competition, but nothing will be easy.
 
In all likelihood, five teams have sewed up berths in the playoffs. They are No. 1-ranked Metro State at 17-0 in league play, Colorado Mines at 14-3, Fort Lewis and Colorado-Colorado Springs, both 11-5, and Adams State, 10-6.
 
CSU-Pueblo is sixth in the standings at 9-7 and Colorado Christian at 9-8. Then comes Colorado Mesa at 8-9, followed by the Eagles, Black Hills State and New Mexico Highlands, all at 7-10.
 
For sure, the Eagles must win a majority of their five remaining contests if they are reach postseason play.
 
The task at Mines figures to be extra tough. The Orediggers, who are ranked  13^th, beat the Eagles by just 86-80 in Armstrong Gymnasium on Dec. 14, but have a well-balanced team with lots of size and experience. Four players are averaging between 12.8 and 14 points.
 
Colorado Christian shaded the Eagles 71-67 when the teams played in Chadron in mid-December. The Cougars feature one of the conference's most prolific scoring duos in Kyle Weaver, who is averaging 19.1 points, and Avery Redmond, 18.5.
 
Six Eagles are averaging at least 8.4 points a game, led by senior Zac Bargen at 12.1 a game.
 
The CSC women have played well recently and are still mathematically alive for an RMAC postseason berth at 4-13 in the conference.
 
One of CSC's victories was a 68-59 verdict over Colorado Mines. The Christian Cougars nipped the Eagles 62-58 the next night.
 
CSC's senior duo of Kattie Ranta and Kayli Rageth are combining to average 33 points and 16 rebounds. Ranta is averaging 17.9 points and 9.8 rebounds. Rageth is averaging 15.2 and 6.2.
 
At 17-0, Colorado Mesa leads the RMAC women's standings. The Mavs are followed by CSU-Pueblo at 13-3, Fort Lewis 10-6, Black Hills State, Metro State and Regis, all 10-7, Colorado Christian 9-8 and Colorado Springs 7-9. Both New Mexico teams and Mines are 6-11 in league play.
 
The Eagles' final three games will be at home.