WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEADLINES
•What’s On Tap: Heading into week #8 of SWAC women’s basketball action, nine rematches are scheduled including a matchup between #2 Southern and #3 Alabama A&M. Sitting just a half game out of first place, the Lady Jaguars are on the hunt for the #1 spot in the standings. The Bulldogs, who are just two games out of first, have won their last three and are on a mission as well to make a surge for the top position in the final three weeks of the regular season.
•Last Week: Currently on the hottest win streak in the conference, Grambling State posted two wins last week to make it four in a row. With the wins, the Lady Tigers took over sole possession of the #5 spot and sits on Texas Southern’s heals, just a half game out of fourth. Southern also went 2-0 last week to inch a little closer to the #1 slot and Alabama A&M won its only game of the week to remain in third place. Prairie View A&M went 1-1 for the week and maintains a slim edge over SU for the #1 spot. Also going 1-1 last week were Mississippi Valley State, Texas Southern and Alcorn State.
•PVAMU’s Cooper Named to Naismith Hall of Fame Finalist List: Prairie View A&M head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke was announced as a 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Finalist last week during the NBA All-Star weekend in Dallas. Cooper-Dyke, who helped guide the WNBA’s Houston Comets to four titles, is one of 19 finalists for consideration. Others on the list include Scottie Pippen, Karl Marlone, and the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team.” The 2010 class will be announced Monday, April 5th prior to the NCAA’s Men’s Championship game.
MEN’S BASKETBALL HEADLINES
• J-STATE MAKES IT EIGHT STRAIGHT…Jackson State swept its SWAC Texas road trip this past weekend to extend the winning streak to a season-high eight games, which is the eighth-longest winning streak in the country. Monday night, JSU avenged its only conference loss with an overtime win at Texas Southern. Jackson State is 6-0 on the road in SWAC, a good sign toward winning the regular season title. The previous four regular season champs had the best or second-best road record.
• …BUT GOLDEN LIONS STAYIN’ CLOSE Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Golden Lions have won four games in row and five of their last six games to stay two games behind Jackson State with five games to play. Two of the Golden Lions’ three losses have come on the road by a combined five points. UAPB has a pair of big home games this weekend against Prairie View and Texas Southern, with each Texas team one behind in the loss column.
• ALCORN STATE GETS FIRST VICTORYAlcorn State posted its first win of the season last Saturday, squeaking past rival Mississippi Valley State, 55-54. The home victory ended a 24-game losing streak by the Braves.
• MONDAY NIGHT LIVE: BRAVES-BULLDOGS BATTLE ON ESPNU The primetime lights of ESPNU will shine in Huntsvillle, AL this week as Alabama A&M hosts Alcorn State live at 8 p.m. The Bulldogs will look to solidify and strenghen their hold on a SWAC Tournament berth. Alcorn, coming off its first win, will look to make a late charge toward a tourney bid.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE (women’s/men’s doubleheaders)
Saturday, February 20
Jackson State at Grambling State, 2 p.m./4 p.m.*
Texas Southern at Mississippi Valley State, 2 p.m./4 p.m..*
Alcorn State at Alabama State, 4 p.m./6 p.m.*
Southern at Alabama A&M, 4 p.m./6 p.m.*
Prairie View A&M at Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
Monday, February 22
Alcorn State at Alabama A&M, 5 p.m./8 p.m. (ESPNU)*
Southern at Alabama State, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
Prairie View A&M at Mississippi Valley State, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
Texas Southern at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.*
