Close Conference Showdowns

Atlantic 10
3 teams tied for first place, 4 more are within a game and a half. 6 points go to any team that finishes the season in first place here.
Status Report:
Xavier (Phunmunki) 8-2, they go out of conference to play Florida Saturday, then they have: St. Joes, @Charlotte, @St. Louis, Richmond, @Fordham, St. Bonnies;
Charlotte (The CEO) 8-2, in good position with four of their last six at home: Duquesne, Xavier, St. Joes, @George Washington, @Rhode Island, Richmond;
Richmond (Babblemur) 8-2, four of last six are on the road, only two easy games: @Temple, @St. Louis, Fordham, @St. Bonnies, Charlotte, @UMASS;
Temple (Some Guy) 7-2, four of seven left on the road, with two of the toughest at home: Rhode Island, @St. Bonnies, @St. Joes, Dayton, @LaSalle, @St. Louis, George Washington;
Rhode Island (Gunz) 7-3, a tough road schedule left: @Temple, @St. Louis, Fordham, @St. Bonnies, Charlotte, @UMASS;
Dayton (Jaybird) 6-3, coming off two big home wins over Xavier and Charlotte, they face: @St. Louis, LaSalle, @Duquesne, @Temple, UMass, @Richmond, St. Louis;
St. Louis (No one) 6-3, have to be considered potential contenders - 3 game winning streak, 5 of their last 7 are at home.

Big East
Syracuse (Akaoni) 11-1
Villanova (Phunmunki) 10-1
Their only scheduled meeting this year is Feb 27, at Syracuse.

Big South
Coastal Carolina 11-3
Radford 10-4
Coastal Carolina (Akaoni) and Radford (Jutdog) play Saturday in a must win for both. Radford won their last match up at Coastal. Saturday is at Radford.

Big Ten
Michigan State 9-3 (The CEO)
Illinois 9-3 (Akaoni)
Ohio State 9-3 (Boaris)
Purdue 8-3 (Turtle)
Wisconsin 8-4 (Gunz)
Michigan State's last tough match up is at Purdue on the 27th, other wise they are looking at a solid finish. Purdue has been streaky and has some tough road games against Ohio St and Minn, but host MSU and Illinois at home. Ohio State is on a five game winning streak (two vs. Iowa though) and now face Illinois twice, Purdue, Penn St and Michigan. Illinois is also on a five game winning steak, but now face OSU (x2), Purdue, Minn, Mich, and finish with Wisconsin. Ouch. Wisconsin's last six are considerably easier (Indiana, Minn, Northwestern, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois), so they are definitely in the running.

Pac 10
California (Babblemur) with a one game lead over... Arizona (Turtle) and Arizona St (SGII)? USC and UCLA 1.5 games back? What a messed up conference. Arizona is the one to keep an eye on.

West Coast
Gonzaga 8-1 (NotaTurtle)
St. Mary's 8-2 (Boaris)
Portland 6-3 (Babblemur)
Portland probably isn't in the running here, but I included them because I felt like it. Gonzaga's win over St. Mary's yesterday may have sealed this up for NotaTurtle. They beat St. Mary's on both meetings, beat Portland on both meetings, and their five remaining conference games are not challenging. St. Mary's faces Portland tomorrow, but otherwise shouldn't have a problem. If Zaga slips, St. Mary's could get a piece of the pie.