D2SS: The Weekend (Part 2)

Here are some brief previews for marque match-ups on the softball diamond this weekend. All rankings are courtesy of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). All games listed are doubleheaders unless otherwise noted. All times local to home team.

Gulf South Conference

#15 West Florida (27-4, 6-2) at #4 Valdosta State (19-3, 5-3)--Saturday 3 p.m. EDT

The Lady Blazers host the Argonauts in a key Gulf South Conference East Division match-up.

#6 Alabama-Huntsville (21-4, 6-0) at West Alabama (23-11, 2-4)--Sunday 2 p.m. CDT

The Chargers enter this twin bill on an eight-game winning streak.

Ouachita Baptist (25-11, 6-6) at Arkansas-Monticello (30-5, 7-1)--Sunday 1 p.m. CDT

The Cotton Blossoms look to stay on top in the GSC West against the Tigers.

Peach Belt Conference

UNC Pembroke (25-12, 8-6) at Flagler (20-16, 4-4)--Saturday 1 p.m. EDT

The Braves head south to face the newcomer Saints from Florida in a battle for positioning heading into the upcoming PBC tournament.

Francis Marion (24-9, 9-5) at Armstrong Atlantic State (22-9, 1-3)--Saturday 2 p.m. EDT

The Pirates play host to the Patriots in another battle of teams along I-95.

D2SS: The Weekend

D2SS: The Weekend is back with some baseball, and softball too...But first...

Here are a few quick final thoughts on the just finished basketball season for D-II South Nation. It was one and done for all three representatives in the D2SS coverage region.

On Tuesday, the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (31-3) trailed 44-29 en route to a season-ending 77-62 loss to Franklin Pierce (N.H.) in the national quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight at St. Joseph, Mo. It was the Golden Suns first appearance in the Elite Eight since 1999, when they lost to North Dakota in the national championship game that season.

On the men's side, both Southeast Regional champion Augusta State (29-4) and South Regional champion Valdosta State (28-5) suffered swift exits from the NCAA Division II Elite Eight at Springfield, Mass. Wednesday.

Making its first-ever trip to the Elite Eight, the VSU men led by 12 points at the second half, only to surrender 21 unanswered points in an 80-64 loss to Indiana (Pa.). The 28 wins by the 2009-10 Blazers are the most in the 56-year history of Valdosta State men's basketball.

The third time proved to not be the charm for Augusta State, as the No. 4 (NABC) ranked Jaguars found themselves on the wrong of a 67-64 upset loss to Bentley (Mass.) Wednesday. That loss continued a regression in advancement for the Jags, as they lost in the Final Four to Cal Poly Pomona last season, and to Winona State (Minn.) in the national championship game in 2008.

Talking baseball (and softball)

How's your team faring on the diamond this year? Here's a quick look at the standings. Click on the link (s) listed below. Standings are current as of March 26, 2010.

Baseball standings

Gulf South Conference

Peach Belt Conference

SIAC

Softball standings

Gulf South Conference

Peach Belt Conference

SIAC (standings unavailable)

The rankings

Collegiate Baseball Poll (Southern Arkansas checks in at No. 4)

NFCA Poll (North Georgia #1, VSU #4, UAH #6)

The marquee match-ups

Baseball

West Alabama (16-10, 1-2) at #18 (Collegiate Baseball) Valdosta State (22-10)--Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader) and Sunday 1 p.m.

The Blazers do battle with the Tigers in a key Gulf South Conference East Division series.

Arkansas-Monticello (17-12, 3-2) at #4 Southern Arkansas (24-3, 5-0)--Saturday 3 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)

The Muleriders will ride a 13-game winning streak into this critical Gulf South Conference West Division clash.

#19 GC&SU (15-8, 7-2) at #7 USC Aiken (21-8, 10-2)--Saturday 3 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader) and Sunday 1 p.m. EDT

The Bobcats take on the Pacers in a battle of Peach Belt Conference division leaders.

#9 Columbus State (22-5, 3-3) at #17 UNC Pembroke (19-6, 7-5)--Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader) and Sunday 1 p.m. EDT

The Braves play host to the Cougars in another huge inter-divisional PBC match-up.

Lander (17-9, 3-6) at #16 North Georgia (20-8, 9-3)--Saturday 3 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

Both the Bearcats and Saints enter this series on four-game winning streaks.

Hoops season over for Augusta State, Valdosta State

In with a bang, out with a whimper. That's how both the Augusta State University Jaguars and the Valdosta State University Blazers entered and exited the NCAA Division II men's basketball Elite Eight at Springfield, Mass. Wednesday. The Blazers squandered a 12-point halftime lead by giving 21 unanswered points to start the second half in a 80-64 loss to Indiana (Pa.), while the Jaguars were upset by Bentley (Mass.) on a three-point shot in the closing seconds.

Click the link (s) below for more details.

Indiana (Pa.) 80, VSU 64 (vstateblazers.com)

Bentley 67, Augusta State 64 (Augusta State University)

Sun "sets" on Golden Suns season

The Arkansas Tech University Golden Suns women's basketball saw a remarkable season come to an end, as they fell to Franklin Pierce (N.H.) 77-62 at St. Joseph, Mo. Wednesday. Click here for more details, courtesy of the ATU Sports Information Department.

Elite Eight Previews

Only 16 NCAA Division II basketball teams are still playing, with three of those from D-II South Nation, as the Elite Eight gets underway with the women's event in St. Joseph, Mo. Tuesday, followed by the men's championships in Springfield, Mass. Wednesday. Click the link (s) below to find out details on the Arkansas Tech women, Augusta State men, and Valdosta State men, and their opponents, for this week.

NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight--Arkansas Tech vs. Franklin Pierce (Tuesday 2:30 p.m. CDT)

Arkansas Tech University Sports Information

NCAA Division II Men's Elite Eight--Augusta State vs. Bentley (Wednesday 8:30 p.m. EDT)

Media Guide (courtesy of Augusta State University Sports Information)

NCAA Division II Men's Elite Eight--Valdosta State vs. Indiana (Pa.)--(Wednesday 2:30 p.m. EDT)

Elite Eight Page (courtesy of Valdosta State University Sports Information)

Augusta State, Valdosta State advance to Elite Eight

Augusta State, Valdosta State move on the NCAA Division II men's basketball Elite Eight with wins in their respective regional finals Tuesday night, while Arkansas Tech took home the women's South Regional crown with a win over archrival Delta State. Click the link (s) below for more details.

South Regional Women's Final--at Russellville, Ark.

Arkansas Tech 73, Delta State 62 (courtesy of Arkansas Tech University Sports Information)

Southeast Regional Men's Final--at Augusta, Ga.

Augusta State 79, Montevallo 71 (courtesy of Augusta State University Sports Information)

South Regional Men's Final--at Russellville, Ark.

Valdosta State 71, Rollins 58 (courtesy of vstateblazers.com)

NCAA Division II Hoops Regional Update

At least two teams from D-II South Nation will be assured of an appearance in the Elite Eight after tonight (Tuesday), while another team's quest to get there falls short. Click the link (s) below to find out more.

Southeast Regional Women's Final (Monday)

Tusculum trips up Lander, ends Lady Bearcats season (Courtesy of landerbearcats.com)

South Regional Women's Final--Tuesday 6 p.m. CDT (at Russellville, Ark.)

Arkansas Tech, Delta State clash one more time (Game note courtesy of gostatesmen.com)

Southeast Regional Men's Final--Tuesday 7 p.m. EDT (at Augusta, Ga.)

Augusta State, Montevallo square off in third and final meeting (Courtesy of Augusta State University Sports Information)

South Regional Men's Final--Tuesday 8:30 p.m. CDT (at Russellville, Ark.)

Valdosta State battles Rollins for right to go to Elite Eight (Courtesy of vstateblazers.com)

Shocker at D-II South Regional: VSU upsets No. 1 ATU

In case you missed it Sunday night, the Valdosta State University men's basketball team proved why it's called "March Madness", as the Blazers stunned No. 1 Arkansas Tech 72-60 at Russellville, Ark. The VSU men advance to Tuesday's regional final with the shocking win. The details are here.

NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament Bracket Update

Is your favorite team moving on? Or going home? Click one of the link (s) below to find out.

Women

Men

NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament Breakdowns--South Men

Our final installment of breakdowns leading to the start of the NCAA Division II basketball tournament shines the spotlight on the men's bracket in the South Region, which starts Saturday on the campus of Arkansas Tech University.

NOTE: Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

South Region Men--at Russellville, Ark.

March 13, 14, & 16.

All Times Central

2. Rollins (25-4) vs. 7. Alabama-Huntsville (23-6)--1 p.m.

The Gulf South Conference tournament runner-up Chargers clash with the Sunshine State Conference tournament champion Tars.

3. Florida Southern (20-4) vs. 6. Barry (15-10)--3:30 p.m.

The Mocs face the Bucs in an all-SSC battle.

1. Arkansas Tech (29-1) vs. 8. Tuskegee (19-9)--6 p.m.

The No. 1 (NABC) ranked Wonder Boys do battle with the SIAC tournament champion Tigers from Alabama.

4. Valdosta State (20-4) vs. 5. Clark Atlanta (23-6)--8:30 p.m.

It's the Blazers battling the Panthers for the right to move to round two.

NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament Breakdowns--Southeast Men

Here comes another installment of NCAA Division II basketball tournament breakdowns. This time, it's the men's Southeast bracket at Augusta State University.

NOTE: Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

Southeast Regional Men--at Augusta, Ga.

March 13, 14, and 16--All Times Eastern

Tournament Website

Bracket

3. Georgia College & State University (22-5) vs. 6. USC Aiken (19-10)--Noon

The Bobcats face off against the Pacers in a regular season re-match between the two Peach Belt Conference powers. USCA knocked off GC&SU 69-65 on Feb. 13. The Pacers enter the NCAA tournament as the PBC tournament champions, while the Bobcats hope to bounce back after being bounced by Clayton State in the PBC tourney quarterfinals.

2. Mount Olive (25-5) vs. 7. Montevallo (23-7)--2:30 p.m.

The Falcons return to the NCAA tournament after reaching the PBC tournament title game in their inaugural PBC season, losing to USC Aiken. The Trojans advanced to postseason play as an automatic qualifier from Conference Carolinas after holding off Anderson (S.C.) 83-80 in the championship game there.

1. Augusta State (24-3) vs. 8. Brevard (19-9)--6 p.m.

Despite being upset by Montevallo in the PBC tournament semifinals, the Jaguars still have their sights set on advancing to their straight Elite Eight. They'll face a Tornados team that's in the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time ever after winning the South Atlantic Conference tournament.

4. Catawba (20-10) vs. 5. Anderson (S.C.)--8:30 p.m.

Both teams are coming off tough championship game losses from last weekend. The Indians lost to Brevard, 93-92, while the Trojans fell to their namesakes from Mount Olive, 83-80.

NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament Breakdowns--South Women

Here's the latest installment of our NCAA Division II basketball tournament regional previews, featuring the women's bracket in the South Region.

South Region Women--at Russellville, Ark.

NOTE: Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type. All times Central.

2. Delta State (24-3) vs. 7. Lynn (16-10)--1:30 p.m.

The Gulf South Conference tournament runners-up open the South Regional against the Knights from Boca Raton, Fla., and the Sunshine State Conference.

3. Fort Valley State (26-2) vs. 6. Valdosta State (18-8)--4 p.m.

The Wildcats do battle against the Lady Blazers for the right to face the winner of the DSU-Lynn contest. FVSU was upset by Stillman in round two of the SIAC tournament, while VSU reached the semifinals of the GSC tourney before losing to the Lady Statesmen.

1. Arkansas Tech (26-2) vs. 8. Benedict (21-8)--6:30 p.m.

The Golden Suns face off against the SIAC tournament champion Tigers.

4. Tampa (22-4) vs. 5. Barry (18-8)--9 p.m.

The Spartans square off against the Buccaneers in a showdown of Sunshine State conference teams.

NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament Breakdowns--Southeast Women

The road to the NCAA Division II basketball championships begins with a quick breakdown of the women's bracket in the Southeast Region.

Women's Southeast Regional--at Greenwood, S.C.

March 12-13, 15

Tournament Website

NOTE: Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type. All times Eastern.

3. Francis Marion (26-4) vs. 6. Newberry (21-8)--noon

The Peach Belt Conference tournament runner-up Patriots hope to bounce back after being blown out by Clayton State in Sunday's title game. Newberry comes into the Southeast Regional after a similar runner-up finish in the finals of the South Atlantic Conference tournament.

2. Clayton State (24-6) vs. 7. Tusculum (20-9)--2:30 p.m.

The Lakers are fresh off their third PBC tournament title in the last six years, as they look to make a return trip to the Elite Eight. The Pioneers, on the other hand, are making their third straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

1. Lander (25-3) vs. 8. Anderson (S.C)--(20-10)--6 p.m.

Despite being upset by eventual PBC tourney champion Clayton State, the Lady Bearcats still earned the top seed--as well as the host role--for this year's Southeast Regional. They'll host a Trojans team that earned their way to the NCAA regionals by winning the automatic bid from Conference Carolinas.

5. Carson-Newman (23-6) vs. 4. Lenoir-Rhyne (21-7)--8:30 p.m.

It's the Eagles doing battle against the Bears in a battle of 20-win teams from the South Atlantic Conference.

NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament Fields Announced

Click the links below for the complete 64-team fields in both the women's and men's brackets. By the way, D-II South Nation is well represented in both fields.

Women

Men

Conference Hoops Championship Results

Close calls in the Gulf South Conference finals. Surprise results in the Peach Belt Conference title games. And the SIAC crowned its champions Saturday night. Click on the links below for the results.


Gulf South Conference--at Southaven, Miss. (Sunday)

Women--Arkansas Tech downs Delta State in double overtime

Men--Arkansas Tech edges Alabama-Huntsville, 64-63

Peach Belt Conference--at Aiken, S.C. (Sunday)

Women--Clayton State routs Francis Marion for title

Men--USC Aiken wins elusive championship

SIAC--at Atlanta (Saturday)

Benedict 72, Stillman 66

Tuskegee trips up Clark-Atlanta for men's title

GSC Tournament Finals set

Gulf South Conference Tournament Semifinals--at Southaven, Miss. (Saturday)

Women

Arkansas Tech 68, Harding 45

Delta State 72, Valdosta State 60

Men

Arkansas Tech 57, Valdosta State 48

Alabama-Huntsville 97, North Alabama 79

Upset Saturday at the PBC Tournament

It's called "March Madness" for good reason. And both Peach Belt Conference basketball regular season champions found themselves walking off the court as upset losers as a result. Click the links below for a recap of these stunning results, and more, from the PBC tournament at Aiken, S.C.

PBC Women's Semifinals

Clayton State 79, Lander 77 (overtime)

Francis Marion 66, Georgia College & State University 61

PBC Men's Semifinals

Montevallo 81, Augusta State 77 (The Falcons pull off the upset over the No. 1 (NABC) Jaguars)

USC Aiken 58, Clayton State 55

Conference Hoops Tournament Update--Gulf South Conference Men's Quarterfinals

The re-match of last season's men's championship game is set, while there's a huge upset in one of the quarterfinal contests. Read the first-hand accounts of all four games from opening day, direct from Southaven, Miss., by clicking here.

Conference Hoops Tournament Update

Here's what's happened since the last installment.

Gulf South Conference: Three of the West Division's four representatives advanced to Saturday's semifinal action in the women's bracket at Southaven, Miss. Thursday. West No. 1 seed Arkansas Tech and No. 2 seed Delta State cruised to easy wins, while West No. 3 Harding pulled off the lone upset of the tournament so far, as the Bisons ousted East Division No. 2 seed North Alabama with a 73-66 win. East No. 1 seed Valdosta State was the only team from that division to move on to semifinal, as the Lady Blazers eliminated West No. 4 seed Christian Brothers 64-49. In the first game of men's quarterfinal action Friday, the VSU men joined their female counterparts in advancing to Saturday semifinal action, as the East No. 1 Blazers downed West No. 4 Arkansas-Monticello, 74-61.

Peach Belt Conference: Not much to report here, as all of the action resumes on Saturday afternoon from Aiken, S.C., on the campus of USC Aiken. Should be some good games though. Click here to watch all of the action from the PBC "Final Four" weekend.

SIAC: While the top seed in the women's bracket (Fort Valley State) fell in round two Wednesday, their male counterparts cruised their way into the semis, as No. 1 seed Clark Atlanta crushed No. 9 seed Kentucky State, 78-60. Click here to see how that bracket has developed so far.

Conference Hoops Tournament Update

Two days have come and gone in the D-II South Nation version of "Championship Week", and already there have been at least two huge upsets. Here's what has happened so far.

The Gulf South Conference has a blog on how the 2010 tournament has progressed so far. You can follow the action on Thursday's women's session here, as well as Friday's men's session here. Already, East No. 1 seed Valdosta State has sent West No. 4 seed Christian Brothers packing with a 64-49 win in the women's bracket in the opening game of the quarterfinal round at Southaven, Miss. Thursday.

It will be a battle of 20-game winners in the women's bracket at Aiken, S.C. this Saturday, as semifinal action in the Peach Belt Conference tournament gets underway then. Regular season champion Lander (25-2) moved on to the semis with an 89-70 rout of UNC Pembroke in quarterfinal action Tuesday. Francis Marion (25-3) also moved on to the PBC Final Four after holding off USC Aiken 75-64. The West Division's top two seeds, on the other hand, had to hold on to move on in the PBC tourney, as No. 1 seed Georgia College & State University (21-7)needed overtime to edge and eliminate Georgia Southwestern 61-60, while No. 2 seed Clayton State (22-6) escaped with a 65-64 win over Columbus State.

As mentioned at the top of this post, there was a major upset in the men's bracket at the PBC tournament Wednesday. While regular season champion and East No. 1 seed Augusta State (26-2) managed to fend off a challenge from a scrappy Armstrong Atlantic State team to win 83-80, the other No. 1 seed wasn't so fortunate, as West No. 4 seed Clayton State (16-12) shocked West No. 1 seed GC&SU (22-5) 77-66. Elsewhere, the third time proved to be the charm for West No. 2 seed Montevallo (22-6) 88-79. The Saints swept the regular season serires from the Falcons, but came up empty in the third and final meeting between these two teams. In Aiken, S.C. East No. 2 seed USC Aiken (17-10) will play at least one more game on its home floor, as the Pacers advanced to Saturday's semifinal action with an 80-59 rout of Francis Marion.

Finally, the SIAC tournament in Atlanta had its own shocker, as No. 1 seed (and top ranked team in the South Region) Fort Valley State, lost for only the second time all season, as No. 8 Stillman stunned the Wildcats, 72-68 Wednesday. The loss could prove costly for the FVSU women, as No. 2 South Region ranked Delta State could steal the top seed and host role from the Wildcats come Selection Sunday. Of course, that will depend upon how the Lady Statesmen at this weekend's Gulf South Conference tournament.