SWAC Basketball: Alabama A&M rises as Alcorn State tumbles in latest power rankings
6. University of Arkansas Pine Bluff: 5-4 (Last Week: 7) (Last Weekend's Record: 1-1) (Upcoming Games: 2/10 vs AlcSU 2/12 vs JSU)
The Golden Lions’ SWAC season is quite a roller coaster (lose 2, win 2, lose 2, win 2, lose 1), that is a recipe for a 5 or 6 tournament seed. It's easy to figure out UAPB, if they shoot well, they usually win. And if they shoot poorly they typically lose. Against Prairie View is one of the rare times they shot well but lost (49 percent). Rashad Williams kept the Golden Lions in the PVU game with 28 points off the bench. Against MVSU a balanced attack was able to take care of business against an overmatched opponent. In tournament games, you have to be able to stop teams because your shot may not always be there. The fact that UAPB doesn't play well on the defensive side is the main reason why I don't see the Golden Lions as a serious contender.
5. Bethune-Cookman: 5-4 (Last Week: 6) (Last Weekend's Record: 1-1) (Upcoming Games: 2/10 vs PVU 2/12 vs TSU)
The biggest missed opportunity of the weekend goes to the Wildcats. After suffocating Alabama State in the second half of Saturday's game, they were upset by AAMU on Monday. Losing games like that are the difference between a top 4 spot and a bottom 4 spot or worse. BCU was dominated on the boards against AAMU, that was the only difference in a very even game. A 48-point second half helped the Wildcats get a big road win over Alabama State on Saturday. The Wildcats have been tough at home, they will need some Moore Gym magic to keep themselves in the hunt for a tournament seed.
4. Alabama State: 6-3 (Last Week: 4) (Last Weekend's Record: 1-1) (Upcoming Games: 2/10 @ GSU 2/12 @ SU)
A late run against FAMU keeps the Hornets in the top 4 of my rankings. Which made the top of my rankings very easy. Poor shooting in the second half cost Bama State against BCU. It took longer than expected but the Hornets defeated FAMU. CJ Hines’ 19 points carried the Hornets on Monday night. I've said this before but I have no idea who the Hornets are. If I had to pick a team who may slide out of top 4 it's Bama State. But with 4 games remaining against Southern and Grambling State, they have total control of their fate. This weekend will go a long way in determining who the Hornets are.