WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEADLINES
•What’s On Tap: With the 2009 Farmers Insurance SWAC Basketball Tournament tipping-off in one month, excitement continues to build in SWAC women’s basketball action as teams vie for positioning in the standings and try to ensure a trip to Shreveport next month. Games to watch for in week #7 will be the match-up between #4 Texas Southern and #5 Grambling State. TSU slid from #3 last week after a loss to PVAM while GSU picked-up two wins and elevated itself two slots in the rankings. TSU will look to regain its top three position while GSU will aim to separate itself from a three-way fifth place tie and continue to creep up in the standings. Also, #3 Alabama A&M and #5 Alabama State will clash on Saturday in a game of rivals that could shake up the standings just a bit.
•Last Week: Alabama A&M and Grambling State both went 2-0 last week to improve its positions in the standings heading into week seven of SWAC play. Prairie View A&M posted a win over TSU in its lone game of the week to remain at the top of the standings. Southern had a seven game win streak snapped with a loss to Grambling State but followed that up with a narrow win over Jackson State on Monday to hold on to its #2 slot. Alabama State, Jackson State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff all split games as well last week.
•Home Sweet Home: Prairie View A&M is currently ranked eleventh in the nation in consecutive home-game wins. The Lady Panthers have won 15 straight home games dating back to last season. PVAM will host Jackson State and Grambling State this weekend as it tries to stretch the streak to 17 and defend its home court.
MEN’S BASKETBALL HEADLINES
• JACKSON STATE STAYS HOT The Jackson State Tigers have won six games in a row to open up a two-game lead in the SWAC race with seven games to play. JSU has won 12 of its past 13 games and is on its second six-game winning streak of the season.
• GOLDEN LIONS, PANTHERS MAKE MOVES The Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions and Prairie View A&M Panthers have each won two games in a row and currently hold the second and third spots in the standings. UAPB has won eight of its last 11 games to move into sole possession of the number 2 spot. The Golden Lions travel to Southern and Alcorn State this week. Prairie View has also won its last two games and sit ahead of Texas Southern, which the Panthers swept this season. The Panthers will host Jackson State and Grambling State this week.
• TSU, ‘BAMA STATE SEEK BOUNCE-BACK W’s After lurking at the top of the standings in the first half of SWAC play, Texas Southern and Alabama State will look to end losing streaks this week. TSU will host Grambling and Jackson State; Alabama State travels to arch-rival Alabama A&M.
• MONDAY NIGHT LIVE: BATTLE OF TIGERS AT 8 PM Jackson State will look to avenge its only conference loss this season when it plays at Texas Southern as part of ESPN’s Rivalry Week. Texas Southern defeated Jackson State on JSU’s home floor, 51-44 on Jan. 18. Texas Southern has been strong at home this year with a 6-1 record, second best in the conference. Jackson State is the only undefeated team on the road in SWAC play with a 4-0 mark.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE (women’s/men’s doubleheaders)
Saturday, February 13
Grambling State at Texas Southern, 2 p.m./4 p.m.*
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Southern, 2 p.m./4 p.m.*
Mississippi Valley State at Alcorn State, 2:30 p.m./4:30 p.m.*
Alabama State at Alabama A&M, 4 p.m./6 p.m.*
Jackson State at Prairie View A&M, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
Monday, February 15
Jackson State at Texas Southern, 5 p.m./8 p.m. (ESPNU)*
Grambling State at Prairie View A&M, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
Mississippi Valley State at Southern, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alcorn State, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
