SWAC Basketball: Alabama A&M rises as Alcorn State tumbles in latest power rankings

3 Texas Southern: 6-3 (Last Week: 3) (Last Weekend's Record: 1-0) (Upcoming Games: 2/10 @ FAMU 2/12 @ BCU)

It was business as usual for the Tigers, winning their 3rd straight game by defeating Prairie View. PJ Henry had his best SWAC game scoring 26 points. Johnathan Cisse chipped in 25 points. Finishing the first half of SWAC play at the top of the standings is to be expected for the defending tournament champions. The scary thing is TSU hasn't shot the ball well. A weekend trip to Florida can help establish the Tigers as the team to beat. Keep an eye on Monday's game at Bethune-Cookman, that's a possible game of the Week.

2. Grambling State: 7-2 (Last Week: 2) (Last Weekend's Record: 2-0) (Upcoming Games: 2/10 vs AlaSU 2/12 vs AAMU)

If you made me pick the best team in the SWAC I will say Grambling. Even though they sit at number 2 in the rankings. The Tigers took care of business in the second half of games against Jackson State and Alcorn State. Tra'Michael Moton led the way against JSU with 19 points. On Monday Jourdan Smith had a huge game with a double-double (19 points and 12 rebounds). The Tigers remain my pick to win the regular season. A trip to their first NCAA tournament is a very, very strong possibility.

1. Southern: 7-2 (Last  Week: 1) (Last Weekend's Record: 2-0) (Upcoming Games: 2/10 vs AAMU 2/12 vs AlaSU)

It took some work but the Jaguars did what they couldn't do in their previous two road games. And that's close-out games, on Saturday Southern used late free throws to beat Alcorn and then on Monday they survived Jackson State's best punch in the second half. The most impressive part of these road wins is that this was accomplished without leading scorer Tai'Ron Joseph. Brandon Davis (32 total points) and Derrick Tezeno (double-double on Monday) led the Jaguars in both games. While I don't think the Jags are the best team in the league, they have proven that they belong in the conversation. This upcoming weekend's games will allow Southern to show they have the staying power to challenge for a top seed at the end of the season.

The difference between 1st place and 11th place is only 5 games so no one should be comfortable about their position in the standings. There are lots of big games left this season, so a favorite this week could be scrapping for a spot next week. SWACtion is never boring and I am enjoying sharing my thoughts with you all. Even though the chaos makes writing these rankings very interesting. I am eagerly awaiting the moment I can write about a MVSU win. I hope you enjoy these rankings and I look forward to bringing you the next set of rankings. Keep it locked in here because I have a few new articles coming your way in the next few weeks. I'm your tour guide around the SWAC signing out and make sure to exit the SWAC bus carefully.