SWAC Basketball: Grambling State rises to the top in latest power rankings

9. University of Arkansas Pine Bluff SWAC: 6-7 (Last Week: 10) (Last Weekend's Record: 1-1) (Upcoming Games: 2/24 vs PVU 2/26 vs TSU)

Another 1-1 weekend keeps the Golden Lions on the brink of not making the SWAC tournament. But they did climb one spot in the rankings. Against Bama State, Rashad Williams caught fire with 33 points off the bench. This was a prime UAPB game with the team knocking down 13 three-pointers. In the AAMU game, the shots weren't falling as they went 9-34 (26%) from deep. Williams had another big game off the bench with 23 points. When you have a team that heavily relies on one side of the court, that team seems to struggle to consistently win games. Right now UAPB is a .500 team at best. I don't know if that is enough to get them into the tourney.

8. Bethune-Cookman SWAC: 7-6 (Last Week: 2) (Last Weekend's Record: 0-2) (Upcoming Games: 2/24 vs AAMU 2/26 vs AlaSU)

This was a crucial weekend for the Wildcats and it didn't go their way. At minimum, they needed a split and they instead got swept. That makes them this week's biggest faller dropping 6 spots. On Saturday BCU fell behind big against Alcorn and never could fully get back into the game. Reggie Ward paced the Wildcats with 27 points. Monday the Wildcats lost a 1-point nail-biter to JSU, you could tell both teams knew this was a do-or-die game. Jakobi Heady led the way with 17 points. Currently, the Wildcats occupy the 8th and final tournament spot, another huge weekend awaits BCU. They face two teams they are tied with, and to feel comfortable about their hopes they need to win both games. 

7. Alabama State SWAC: 7-6 (Last Week: 7) (Last Weekend's Record: 1-1) (Upcoming Games: 2/24 @FAMU 2/26 @BCU)

Winning a game you were supposed to win after losing a toss up game is the peak of average. So that is why the Hornets are holding steady at the 7 spot in the rankings. The UAPB game saw the Hornets with 4 double-digit scorers. Ubong Okon registered a double-double, 11 points and 12 rebounds. Shooting 7-42 (???) from 3-point range is a recipe for a loss. Monday's game against MVSU was by the books, as they took a lead and never looked back. TJ Madlock led with 21 points. Bama State is a tournament team but I don't know if they will show the consistency to get there.