SWAC Basketball: Grambling State rises to the top in latest power rankings
6. Alabama A&M SWAC: 7-6 (Last Week: 9) (Last Weekend's Record: 2-0) (Upcoming Games: @BCU 2/26 @FAMU)
The Bulldogs have moved up and down these rankings, they have been one of the most fluid teams on this list. A 2-0 weekend is the reason why AAMU is tops among the 7-6 teams. MVSU didn't pose much of a challenge on Saturday as the Bulldogs won by 23 behind Lorenzo Downey's 13 points. AAMU got the weekend sweep by defeating UAPB by 8 in a game they trailed at half. Omari Peek's 15 points and Cameron Tucker's double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds) helped the Bulldogs prevail. As much as I'd like to pencil AAMU into a 5,6, or 7 seed, I can't do that yet as their final stretch of games is tough.
5. Jackson State SWAC: 8-5 (Last Week: 6) (Last Weekend's Record: 2-0) (Upcoming Games: 2/24 @ AlcSU)
After losing 4 straight games the Tigers bounced back with 4 straight wins. JSU now finds themselves on the cusp of a top 4 finish. The Tigers blew away FAMU on Saturday behind Jordan O'Neal's 22-point 13-rebound double-double. The BCU contest was as tight as a game could be with the Tigers coming out 1 point winners. Ken Evans led the way with 17 points. A couple of weeks ago I said the Tigers just needed a win to feel good, well they stacked up 4 wins. Now they can be seen as a legit challenger for the SWAC autobid.
4. Alcorn State SWAC: 8-5 (Last Week: 5) (Last Weekend's Record: 2-0) (Upcoming Games: 2/24 vs JSU)
Just like JSU, Alcorn has won 4 straight. In terms of the rankings there isn't much difference between number 4 and number 5. The Braves got their 2nd Florida sweep winning the two games by 26 total points. The Braves took an early double-digit lead against BCU and won comfortably, Dekedran Thorn scored 17 points. Jeremiah Kendall had 18 points and 10 rebounds to help Alcorn control the Rattlers There is a short list of teams that I think can actually win the tournament, the Braves are on that list. The Jackson State game on Saturday is huge. Not only is it a rivalry, but the winner will position themselves for a 3 or 4 seed.