With the hiring of Isaac Collins at Widener yesterday, the MAC has its first African-American head football coach. For a conference that has been around for almost 100 years, that shouldn't be news, but it is, and we welcome Coach Collins to a great Division III football conference.

The second half of the basketball season is under way and tomorrow we already have some big games that will impact tournament play.

Commonwealth Men

Widener (3-5) stayed alive for a tournament spot on Saturday by defeating Messiah (4-4) 69-57. Things don't get easier as the Pride travels to first place Albright (7-1) for another must win game. Meanwhile, the Falcons host cross-river rival Elizabethtown (5-3) for a chance to stay in the hunt for a good tournament seed. Lebanon Valley (3-5) handed Lycoming (6-2) one of their two conference losses in December. For the Dutchmen to keep pace for a tournament spot, they need a repeat against the Warriors in Annville.

Freedom Men

DeSales (7-1) stumbled against Eastern (5-3) 61-56 on Saturday and travel to Manhattanville (4-4) in one of the toughest road venues in the MAC. The Valiants need a win to keep pace with the cluster in the middle of the pack. King's (6-2), maybe the most improved team in the conference, heads to Eastern to try to hold on to their second place standing; the Eagles can move into a tie for second with a win. Misericordia (4-4) hosts Wilkes (3-5) - the implications are obvious.

Commonwealth Women

The top four teams play the bottom four (is an upset in order?):
Lycoming at #1 Lebanon Valley (8-0)
Elizabethtown at #2 Messiah (7-1)
Alvernia (5-3) at Arcadia
Widener (5-3) at Albright

Freedom Women

Perennial power DeSales (5-3) heads to Purchase against Manhattanville (7-1). This is the best chance for the Bulldogs to get back into the hunt for a home seed in tournament. Red hot Delaware Valley (6-2) hosts FDU (4-4) - the Devils need to stay in range of fourth place and the Aggies, with the only conference win over #1 Manhattanville, hope to keep pace for the top seed.