Southwestern Conference Notebook
by Nik Bannister
‘Tis the season to be… .500 – or below
Last week, the football teams of Alabama A&M and Grambling State met up in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships. Oddly enough this could this be a preview of what’s to come in March. After all, A&M and the Tigers are atop the SWAC with 3 wins and 3 losses apiece.
Texas Southern isn’t far behind with two wins and two losses. Senior guard Ra’kim Hollis is really carrying the team and who knows how far he will take them in conference play in January. Hollis leads the SWAC with 23 points per game.
The best in SWAC
As mentioned, Grambling State and Alabama A&M are leading the conference. Tigers’ senior forward William McDonald is third in conference rebounding (8.0 rpg.) and freshman guard Brion Rush is third in conference scoring (18.2 ppg.).
Although Alabama A&M has no one in the top three in points, rebounds, and assists goes, they must be doing something right. After all, who’s number one (at least for now)?
Who’s the best one-win team?
Prairie View is fourth in the SWAC with two losses. This is hard to fathom because the Panthers have the least turnovers in the conference. It makes you wonder what they’re doing with the ball when it’s in their possession.
The Jags of Southern U, have three losses in four games (the fewest played in the conference so far). It seems, however, like they’ll be a more competitive squad as the weeks go on. Sophomore forwards Pete Cipriano and Travyean Scott are doing all they can for the Jags. Perhaps in conference play, we can really see what Coach Ben Jobe’s boys are made of.
Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State both have five losses. The Delta Devils down at MVSU have a senior guard by the name of Ashley Robinson who’s in the giving spirit. He is third in the conference in assists (4.2 apg.).
The defending conference champion, Alcorn State, finds itself in unfamiliar territory – next to last. They have six losses and round out the bevy of teams with one win. Sophomore guard Lee Cook is second in the SWAC in scoring (21.8 ppg.), but that won’t be enough to get head coach David Whitney’s squad at .500 before conference play.
Much to do about nothing (or no wins)?
As of now the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions have all the luster of silverware that’s six feet underground. Plagued by so many deficiencies, it’s hard to tell when head coach Van Holt will be able to get them on track. The Golden Lions are tied for second place in the SWAC in assists (13.7 apg.), but also seem to be feeding the other team quite a bit. They lead the SWAC in turnovers (20.8 per game).
Player of the Week
Grambling freshman guard Brion Rush has 18.2 ppg., and three-point percentage of .455.
