Tuesday, February 15, is the next to last date for basketball conference play and there is a lot on the line for several teams.

Freedom Women

Although Misericordia (9-3) leads the conference, they have two tough games against contenders. Tomorrow they travel to King’s (8-4) and then host Manhattanville (8-4) on Saturday. Although travelling to Doylestown tomorrow, the Valiants will meet a DVC team (3-9) that has to be dispirited after losing to last place Wilkes (2-10) on Senior Day last Saturday. If King’s topples the Cougars, and then knock off arch-rival Wilkes in the finale, a game where they should be heavy favorites, they end up at 10-4. Based on records, DeSales (8-4) has the easiest schedule as they wrap up with FDU and Wilkes. Eastern (6-6) has an outside chance of being in the final four if the Monarchs, Valiants, or Bulldogs lose two and the Eagles prevail over two teams below them in the standings – FDU and DVC.

Commonwealth Women

Lebanon Valley (11-1), Messiah (10-2), and Widener (8-4) are in the tournament and Alvernia has the inside line with a 6-6 record. The Crusaders take on Albright at home tomorrow and then have a tough last game against the LVC Dutchmen. Elizabethtown (5-7) is on the outside looking in, but if they upset the Dutchmen tomorrow at home, they could sneak in as they wrap up the season with last place Arcadia. The Blue Jays and Crusaders split their regular season matchups.

Freedom Men

Six teams have a shot, but only four get a chance in the tournament. DeSales is in the drivers seat at 9-3, but they host a Wilkes team that needs to win to stay in the hunt and then wrap things up with FDU, a team that has become a threat in the second half. The Colonels (7-5) have their hands full after dropping a close one at home to DVC (7-5) on Saturday. After facing the Bulldogs, Wilkes will play to a packed house against cross-town foe King’s (6-6). Besides the tough Wilkes matchup, the Monarchs also have to contend with Misericordia (7-5) at home on Tuesday. Misericordia finishes up with Manhattanville (5-7), a team that has to win both games to have a long shot chance. Besides having to beat the Cougars on the road, they have to beat Delaware Valley in Doylestown tomorrow. The Aggies may have the most favorable schedule, because after taking on the Valiants at home tomorrow they travel to Eastern on Saturday.

Commonwealth Men

Similar to the Freedom, six teams are alive for four spots. Alvernia leads the conference at 10-2 and is in the tournament, but they face two of their biggest challenges in the next five days. Cross-town rival Albright (7-5) comes to the Crusaders after smarting from a close home loss to LVC. Alvernia faces Lebanon Valley (8-4) in the finale. The Dutchmen have been the hottest team in the second half, but besides Alvernia, tomorrow they head to rival Elizabethtown (7-5). Since being ranked #1 in the region, the Blue Jays have struggled; if they beat LVC and then top Arcadia (last place team), they are back in the hunt to host a first round game. Messiah (6-6) has to beat Albright and Lycoming to stay viable. Widener (6-6) seemed dead a few days ago, but a buzzer beater on Saturday, keeps them in the game as they have the easiest schedule of the contenders – Arcadia and Lycoming.

After tomorrow night, things will become clearer!