MUST SEE GAMES--THE FINAL WEEKEND

Normally in this space, D-II South Sports has some of the key games involving teams in the Gulf South and Peach Belt Conferences, as well as the SIAC. But with the final weekend of the regular season on the way as this column is being written, how do the races in each league shape up? Read on below to find the answers to these questions?

NOTE: Only conference records are listed for most teams.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE

East Division Women: While Valdosta State (21-5, 10-1) is already assured of the top seed for next week's Gulf South Conference tournament, the real race here is for second place, as four teams; Montevallo, North Alabama, West Alabama, and West Florida, all have identical 6-5 records in GSC play heading into Saturday's action. All four of those squads will join VSU in the conference tourney, but any of them could be seeded as low as fifth depending upon the outcome of the contests listed below.

Key games: Montevallo at West Alabama, West Florida at Valdosta State, Alabama-Huntsville at North Alabama

West Division Women: Delta State (22-3, 12-1) has clinched first place on this side of the GSC. Arkansas Tech (10-3), Southern Arkansas (8-5), Harding (7-6), and Henderson State (6-7), are locked into the other four spots for next week's GSC tournament at Southaven, Miss.

Key games: None

East Division Men: Montevallo (21-5, 10-1) has won 12 straight games to take home the division title. A win over West Florida could clinch second place outright for Valdosta State (7-4), although the winner of the Alabama-Huntsville/North Alabama game could finish in a tie with VSU should the Blazers lose to the Argonauts.

Key games: Alabama-Huntsville at North Alabama

West Division Men: Despite back-to-back losses in their last two games, it's just that simple for the Henderson State Reddies (19-7, 10-3); beat Delta State Saturday, and they'll win the GSC West. A third straight loss by HSU, however, would open the door for Christian Brothers and Harding (9-4) to split the division title three ways.

Key games: Delta State at Henderson State, Christian Brothers at Harding

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

Women: With all 12 teams beating up on each other, as all of them have at least four losses in PBC play going into this weekend, the race for the regular season title could come down to the last minute. Clayton State (22-5, 11-4) can win that crown outright with a win over GC&SU (10-5), plus a loss by USC Aiken to Lander.

Key games: GC&SU at Clayton State, USC Aiken at Lander

Men: Augusta State (22-4, 14-1) has already clinched the regular season title, and will be seeded first in the South Division for next week's Peach Belt Conference tournament at Greenwood, S.C. next week. But the following games could have an impact on how the rest of the bracket will look.

Armstrong Atlantic State (10-5) at Columbus State (9-6)

GC&SU (7-8) at Clayton State (10-5)

SIAC

Women: Benedict (15-4), Fort Valley State (14-4), Kentucky State (14-5), and Tuskegee (14-5), all find themselves locked in a tight race for the regular season title as the final weekend approaches.

Key games: Fort Valley State at Benedict (Thursday)

Tuskegee at Kentucky State

Clark-Atlanta at Fort Valley State

Men: Benedict (24-2, 20-1) has been the among the best kept secrets in the nation, as the Tigers have won nine straight games since losing to Paine Jan. 30. It will be a shock if Benedict doesn't earn the top seed for the NCAA Division II South Regional.

Key games: None