D2SS: The Weekend (Showdown Saturday)

In this, the next-to-last weekend of January, there are some big basketball games abound in D-II South Nation. Let's get started.


We start with the "Rumble in Russellville" on Saturday night, as both Arkansas Tech teams hope to stay undefeated against Gulf South Conference West Division archrival Delta State.

Going with the ladies first, both the No. 2 (WBCA) Lady Statesmen and No. 9 Golden Suns struggled to stay unbeaten, as Delta State (15-0, 4-0 GSC West) broke open a three-possession game down the stretch to defeat Southern Arkansas, 70-53, while ATU (17-0, 4-0) held off Ouachita Baptist, 78-74, on Thursday night.

Going into weekend action, not only are DSU and ATU the only unbeaten teams in GSC West play, they're also the only teams to have won at least 15 games overall, believe it or not. In fact, the next closest teams in the division standings after the Lady Statesmen and Golden Suns, respectively, are Christian Brothers (11-5) and Henderson State (11-8). Both of those squads improved to 2-2 in the GSC West after pulling out close wins at home Thursday night.


Turning to the men's contest, Arkansas Tech (17-0, 4-0) struggled in their first-ever game as the nation's top-ranked team, according to the NABC coaches poll. The Wonder Boys got by Ouachita Baptist, 74-65, to stay unbeaten. OBU (4-13, 0-4) trailed by just three points at halftime. Despite the hard-fought win, ATU head coach Mark Downey says he's hoping for a better effort against Delta State (13-3, 4-0) Saturday night.

Speaking of the Statesmen, they stayed undefeated in the GSC West as well, but not without overcoming a slow start of their own against Southern Arkansas (7-10, 2-2) at home Thursday. In fact, DSU once trailed 18-13 with a little more than nine minutes to play in the first half, only to outscore the Muleriders 21-10 in the closing seconds of that period. Still, the DSU men managed to shoot 56 percent in the second half to win, 83-59.

One thing is for sure, though, it's too bad that only one--or in this case--two teams, will come out on top at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Arkansas once the final buzzer sounds in both games. It's sure to be a barnburner in both.

Webcast links for DSU-ATU

Arkansas Tech

The women's game tips at 4 p.m. CST, followed by the men at 6 p.m. CST Saturday night.

More big games

Believe it or not, the Arkansas Tech-Delta State doubleheader aren't the only big hoops contests on tap for Saturday. In fact, there are several more games involving unbeaten teams in conference play where the winner will claim sole possession of first place by game's end. Here they are, listed below.

Georgia College & State University at Montevallo--Saturday 1:30 p.m. CST (Women), 3:30 p.m. CST (Men)

This doubleheader figures to shape the race in the Peach Belt Conference West Division. Both GC&SU squads find themselves in sitting in first place going into this critical twin bill, as the Lady Bobcats (11-4) are 4-1 in PBC action, while the Bobcats (12-2) are unbeaten in conference play at 5-0. On the other hand, the Lady Falcons (10-6) are in a three-way tie with Columbus State (9-7) and Georgia Southwestern (8-8) for third place in the PBC West at 3-3. The Lady Cougars and Lady Hurricanes play each other at GSW Saturday afternoon.

On the men's side, Montevallo (15-1, 5-1) hope to move into no worse than a tie for first place in the PBC West with a win over GC&SU this weekend. That's because the Falcons only loss so far came against North Georgia (10-6, 5-1) earlier this season. The Saints travel to Clayton State (9-7, 2-4) for another crucial contest Saturday night.

Alabama-Huntsville (14-4, 3-0) at Valdosta State (17-2, 3-0)--(Men)--Saturday 8 p.m. EST

The No. 8 (NABC) Blazers tuned up for this showdown of undefeated Gulf South Conference East Division teams by scorching West Alabama at home, 92-55, on Thursday night. They'll look to win their 10th straight game against the Chargers, who extended their win streak to seven straight games after outlasting West Georgia on the road, 74-56.