Regional Rankings Analysis--Women

EDITOR'S NOTE: Here's another installment of the "Regional Rankings Analysis", leading to the selection of teams in the 2009 NCAA Division II basketball tournament. This edition features the women's teams in the South and Southeast Regions, respectively. Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

South

1. Rollins

2. Delta State

3. West Georgia

4. Fort Valley State

5. Florida Southern

6. Tampa

7. Ouachita Baptist

8. Clark Atlanta

9. Arkansas-Monticello

10. Harding

Analysis: Delta State and West Georgia all but seem to be locks to get no worse than a No. 4 seed in this year's South Regional draw. The one thing that's drawing the most interest in this week's rankings is the fact that Clark Atlanta is ranked No. 8 despite having just two losses so far this season. Also, the Gulf South Conference is once again flexing its muscles, particularly in the West Division. That's where four teams (DSU, Ouachita, UAM, and HU) all hold spots in this week's Top 10.

Southeast

1. Francis Marion

2. Lenoir-Rhyne

3. Tusculum

4. Clayton State

5. Carson-Newman

6. GC&SU

7. USC Aiken

8. Mount Olive

9. Barton

10. Newberry

Analysis: Had it not for a loss to USC Aiken earlier this season, the Francis Marion women could very well be undefeated right now. At the point, the No. 1 seed and potential host role in the Southeast bracket is Patriot women's to lose. But FMU just might a strong challenger in Clayton State, whose Lakers have an eight-game winning streak going into this weekend's action. Both teams will play each other on the final day of the regular season, Feb. 28. Before then, though, the Patriot women must play at GC&SU, followed by a home finale against Armstrong Atlantic State next Wednesday.