Looking ahead to the new year...

With 2008 now in the rear-view mirror, it's time for basketball teams in D-II South Nation to start focusing on 2009...



For the most part, there's no more beating up on teams like Allen University. Or Carver. Or St. Thomas (Fla.). Or even Voorhees, for that matter. The start of a new calendar year usually means conference play starts in earnest. With that in mind, let's take a brief look at how the three conferences covered by D-II South Sports are shaping up going into the remainder of this season.



WOMEN


Gulf South Conference: Despite three losses, Arkansas Tech is the lone team to be nationally ranked, as the Golden Suns are ranked 20th in the most recent WBCA poll. The lone undefeated squad going into the new year, however, is Harding. The Lady Bisons enter 2009 at 11-0, and are one of six teams in the West Division that have winning records going into GSC play. On the other hand, Valdosta State (9-3) and West Georgia (8-4) are the only East Division teams to have winning records going into the new year.

Peach Belt Conference: Unlike the Gulf South Conference, all but one of the teams in the PBC have played at least one league contest prior to New Year's Eve. Armstrong Atlantic State (7-2) is currently in first place at 2-0, while Francis Marion, Clayton State, Lander, and Augusta State are all 1-0. Columbus State (7-3) is the only PBC team that hasn't started conference play. Of the quartet that's 1-0 in the PBC, Francis Marion is the only team with an overall undefeated record at 8-0.

SIAC: Four teams are unbeaten in league play going into 2009. Preseason favorite Kentucky State (5-2) is 4-0, while three other teams; Clark Atlanta (7-1), Fort Valley State (4-4), and Albany State (3-3) aren't that far behind at 3-0.

MEN

Gulf South Conference: Valdosta State (12-2) has exceeded the expectations of many observers in the East Division so far, as both of the Blazers have come by a combined of three points, to Sunshine State Conference foes Florida Southern and Lynn, respectively. That's not to mention the VSU men are also tied for the No. 25 national ranking with Clayton State in the most recent NABC/Division II Bulletin poll. But the balance of power in the GSC just might be in the West Division, as Arkansas-Monticello is sitting at No. 5, Arkansas Tech at No. 20, while Christian Brothers, Harding and Ouachita Baptist received votes.


Peach Belt Conference: Unpredictability might be the name of the game on the men's side of the PBC, as nine of the league's 11 teams have at least a .500 or better record coming into the New Year. One of the league's surprise teams thus far is Francis Marion, whose Patriots are off to their best start since the 2003-04 season at 8-0. Defending conference tournament champion Clayton State is also off to an 8-0 start, while preseason favorite (and currently No. 2 nationally ranked) USC Aiken has lost back-to-back games after a 6-0 start. Defending national runner-up Augusta State is 7-1 so far this season, and goes into 2009 ranked No. 7 in the NABC poll.

SIAC: As expected, Benedict (3-1, 2-0) has been leading the way thus far, as the Tigers currently hold sole possession of first place in the men's standings. As for SIAC newcomer Claflin, the Panthers have held their own in this underrated league, as they're off to a 9-1 start, in overall as well as conference play. In fact, Miles handed Claflin its first loss of the season in a 66-58 upset loss on Dec. 30.