Regional rankings...and looking ahead to Super Bowl weekend

While the rest of the U.S. is getting ready for the Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, there are a lot of things going on within D-II South Nation this weekend, at least as far as basketball is concerned. As January fades into February, the contender--slowly, but surely--are starting to be separated from the pretenders. Let's take a brief analysis of the regional rankings in NCAA Division II hoops, then take a look ahead to Saturday's key match-ups.

South Women: The Gulf South Conference leads the way in the initial South Region poll of the season, with four teams ranked in the Top 10, led by No. 2 Delta State, followed by No. 4 Valdosta State, No. 5 West Georgia, and No. 9 Arkansas Tech. The SIAC put two teams into the regional rankings for Week 1, with Fort Valley State ranked No. 6, while Clark-Atlanta is No. 10.

Southeast Women: If there's any doubt that the Peach Belt Conference has arrived as one of the premier conferences in all of NCAA Division II, it's very evident in the first regional rankings of 2009. Francis Marion has proven to be a team to be reckoned with in the Southeast Region, as the Patriots are ranked No. 2 only behind No. 1 Lenoir-Rhyne. USC Aiken also will prove to a serious force in the PBC title race come February, as the Lady Pacers come in at No. 5. Clayton State comes in at No. 6, while Georgia College & State University rounds out the rankings at No. 8.

South Men: For the first time in recent memory, men's teams from the SIAC grabbed the top two spots in this week's South Region poll. No. 2 Benedict, though, may be in line to claim the top spot in the South after knocking off No. 1 Claflin, 55-45, on the road Thursday night. While the GSC has five teams regionally ranked (No. 4 Christian Brothers, No. 5 Arkansas-Monticello, No. 6 Arkansas Tech, No. 9 North Alabama, and No. 10 Delta State), the balance of power just might reside in the West Division, as four of those squads come from that side of the league. The proof in the pudding came Thursday night, as UAM rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat ATU 56-53. CBU, on the other hand, eased past Southern Arkansas 60-46.

Southeast Men: It was a history-making week for the Peach Belt Conference as far as making its presence felt in basketball polls goes. Not only did the PBC place four teams in the NABC/Division II Bulletin rankings for the first time in conference history, (No. 7 Augusta State, No. 12 Armstrong Atlantic State, No. 14 USC Aiken, and No. 24 Georgia College & State University), it also put six teams in the first-ever Southeast Region poll. As an added bonus, the league also dominated the top four spots on the charts, led by No. 1 ASU, No. 2 GC&SU, No. 3 AASU, and No. 4 USC Aiken. Further showing the strength of the PBC, Clayton State came in at No. 7, followed by North Georgia at No. 8.

Key games this weekend

WOMEN

North Alabama (10-10, 3-2) at West Georgia (14-5, 4-1)--Saturday 5:30 p.m. EST

The Lions face the Wolves in a crucial GSC East contest.

West Florida (7-13, 2-3) at Valdosta State (15-4, 5-0)--Saturday 2 p.m. EST

The Lady Blazers hope to extend their win streak to seven straight games against the Argonauts.

Also keep an eye on: Harding (13-5, 1-5) at Ouachita Baptist (12-6, 2-4), Henderson State (9-9, 3-3) at Delta State (16-5, 6-0), Armstrong Atlantic State (11-6, 6-4) at USC Aiken (15-5, 7-3), and UNC Pembroke (9-8, 5-5) at Clayton State (13-4, 7-3).

MEN

#7 Augusta State (14-3, 8-2) at #24 Georgia College & State University (14-2, 8-2)--Saturday 4 p.m. EST

#12 Armstrong Atlantic State (15-2, 8-2) at #14 USC Aiken (13-4, 8-2)--Saturday 7:30 p.m. EST

The top four teams in the Peach Belt Conference square off against each other this weekend. When the dust finally settles, at least two of those teams will be tied for first place in league play.

#17 Christian Brothers (16-3, 5-1) at #22 Arkansas Tech (14-5, 4-2)--Saturday 6 p.m. CST

The Buccaneers need a win to keep pace with No. 16 Arkansas-Monticello (16-3, 5-1) in the GSC West, while the Wonder Boys look to snap a two-game losing streak.

Also keep an eye on: Francis Marion (11-5, 4-5) at North Georgia (9-7, 3-7), West Florida (10-8, 2-3) at Valdosta State (15-4, 3-2), and Harding (12-7, 2-4) at Ouachita Baptist (12-7, 2-4)