Interest builds as hoop races tighten
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
There's even more ball to be played in the MEAC and SWAC whose tournaments don't start until the second week of March, a full week between those in the CIAA and SIAC (See STAT CORNER).
As the teams head down the stretch, here's a quick glimpse at how some of the races are shaping up.
CIAA
Virginia Union's 99-96 overtime upset Tuesday night of Bowie State in Bowie means that the men's race is far from over. Luke D'Alessio's BSU Bulldogs (19-2, 5-1 E) were ranked ninth in the latest NCAA Div. II poll and have been the only black college team consistently in the national rankings.The loss to the VUU Panthers means the Bulldogs will likely have to battle Dave Robbins' squad (10-7, 5-2 E) and Mike Bernard's Shaw Bears (16-5, 5-2 CIAA E) to the wire to determine which two will get East Div. first round byes in the conference tournament.
Shaw gets its crack at Bowie State Saturday in Raleigh.
In the West Division where no team has been dominant, North Carolina Central (11-9, 5-1 W) currently leads a contingent of five teams J. C. Smith (15-6, 5-2 W), St. Augustine's (12-7, 3-2 W), Fayetteville State (7-12, 2-3 W) and Winston-Salem State (11-12, 2-4 W) who look to be alive for the byes.
Shaw's women (18-2, 5-1 E), ranked 15th in the latest Div. II poll, have been running roughshod through the conference with only a stumble against Bowie State on Jan. 11. Jacque Curtis' Lady Bears, led by Naomi Mobley's league-leading 21 points and 14.8 rebound per game averages, appear headed to the tournament as heavy favorites to win it all.
SWAC
On the men's side, Texas Southern (12-6, 8-1) and Prairie View (9-8, 8-1) made their cases over the weekend as both knocked off then- leader Alabama State (10-9, 7-2) during the Hornets' Texas swing. Those three plus either Grambling State (8-12, 5-4), Miss. Valley State (6-12, 5-4) or defending champion Alcorn State (6-15, 4-5) are likely to make it to Birmingham for the conference semis.Alabama State (11-7, 9-0) is having its way so far in the women's race with challenges likely from Jackson State (14-4, 7-2), Alcorn State (12-7, 6-3), Grambling St. (11-7, 7-2) and defending champion Southern (10-5, 6-3).
MEAC
Two-time defending men's champion Hampton (11-7, 7-2) was exposed over the past ten days with losses at S. C. State (12-7, 10-0) and at home to Delaware State (9-9, 7-3), the latter which broke the Pirates' 18-game home winning streak.The Hampton women (12-6, 9-0) meanwhile, decisively beat back (75-56) their nearest challenger, Delaware State (10-8, 9-1) but can expect some competition from Howard (6-13, 6-4) and Florida A&M (11-8, 7-3).
Hampton hosts Howard Monday in a doubleheader to be carried live on MBC TV Network.
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