JC of HBCUSportsBlog is the RTC correspondent for the MEAC and SWAC Conferences.

Since the last time you thought about SWAC basketball is probably the last time you visited this site, allow RTC to indulge your hunger for all things obscure in college basketball. This week, we look back on why Jesus is developing a strong dislike for SWAC basketball, and how the devil is in the scheduling details for the conference.

THIS WEEK – Since a 1-19 start for the entire conference, the SWAC has responded strong. Prairie View A&M is still sitting pretty atop the conference standings, thanks to some solid wins over small Bible colleges Ecclesia and South West Assembly of God.  Alabama State got its first win over Houston Baptist.

Needless to say, there will be lumps of coal all around for the top teams in the SWAC thanks to their hardwood crusades throughout bible belt.

WHAT’S HELPING

• Several teams have taken a short hiatus from guaranteed games in favor of regional match-ups with other HBCUs, or smaller schools. As a result, four teams have at least one win so far on the season.
• All but two teams in the SWAC are averaging more than 60 points per game, and for those averages to be intact even with power conference teams on the schedule speaks well of the SWAC’s ability to score.

WHATS HURTING

• Prairie View A&M is the only SWAC school currently averaging more assists than turnovers.
• Too many teams are still playing for pay, with six teams, including 2008 conference champion Mississippi Valley State, still without a victory on the season. Guaranteed checks=guaranteed losing streaks.

WHATS NEXT?

Here are a few of the upcoming key match-ups for SWAC teams.

• Prairie View A&M @ New Mexico State – Dec 17 – Junior forward Darnell Hugee leads the way for the Panthers, and has a strong opportunity to be a sleeper among 2009 NBA draft prospects. Hugee has recorded double-doubles in four of the last five games, including 19 points and 10 rebounds in a five-point loss to Wyoming.
• Alabama State @ Ole Miss – Dec. 15 – Senior guards Brandon Brooks and Andrew Hayles combine for 22 points and seven assists per game to pace the Hornets. They will have their hands full with the back court tandem of David Huertas and Chris Warren, who pace the Rebels in scoring.

rtmsf (3998 Posts)

This entry was posted on Friday, December 5th, 2008 at 10:54 pm by rtmsf and is filed under Checking In On. Tagged: alabama st, conference check-ins, mississippi valley st, prairie view a&m, swac. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.