With two weeks, and four conference games, left in MAC basketball season, there are some critical match ups to determine the four tournament spots in each conference. For the men, it has been a great year with 13 of 16 teams compiling winning records and an overall record of 189-139 (58%). The Commonwealth is 95-67 (59%) and the Freedom is 94-72 (57%). The women have not been quite as strong, but do have an overall 55% winning percentage (183-149). The Commonwealth has been more dominant at 95-70 (58%) while the Freedom logs in at 88-79 (53%).

Commonwealth Men

Thus far, Alvernia (9-1, 13-5) has been the class of the conference, losing only to Elizabethtown (7-3, 16-4), last week’s #1 seed in the region. On Wednesday, the Crusaders travel to Widener (4-6, 9-12) in a must win game for the Pride. A loss would put Widener in an unusual spot, not competing for the conference championship. Elizabethtown stumbled against archrival Messiah (5-5, 10-10) last week and heads to Williamsport in last gasp attempt by Lycoming (3-7, 13-8) to possibly land a tournament spot. The Warriors have had a great non-conference record, but have struggled against conference foes. The key matchup on Wednesday has Messiah driving to Annville to take on a revitalized Lebanon Valley (6-4, 15-6) squad. The first half did not go well for the Dutchmen, but they are now tied with Albright for the final two tournament spots. Messiah must win to keep pace with the Lions and LVC; Albright is likely to prevail as they play Arcadia, winless in 10 conference tries.

Freedom Men

DeSales (7-3, 16-5) is in a familiar spot as the team to beat in the Freedom. After a shaky first half, the Bulldogs now sit on top of the conference after beating Delaware Valley (6-4, 12-9) in Doylestown on Sunday. The Aggies were 6-1 in the first half, but have dropped three straight in the second half. They host King’s (5-5, 13-8) on Wednesday in a must win for each team. DeSales makes their way to Dallas for an important game with Misericordia (6-4, 13-8); with a win, Scott Coval’s squad looks like the top dogs going into the last week of the season. Wilkes (6-4, 13-7) has also emerged in the second half and is now tied with the Cougars and Aggies for second. Eastern (4-6, 11-9) comes to Wilkes-Barre for a do or die situation with the Colonels. A loss, and they are pretty much eliminated from tournament play; a win and they tighten the race among six teams. Manhattanville (4-6, 12-9), like Eastern, has to win at FDU to maintain any hope for post-season play. Although out of the tournament picture, the Devils can keep their spoiler role as they did against Delaware Valley last week.

Commonwealth Women

Lebanon Valley (10-0, 20-1) wants to maintain their leap into elite company, the top ten in Division III, when they host perennial nemesis Messiah (8-2, 14-6) on Wednesday. The Dutchmen won the first matchup easily in Grantham, but the Falcons have emerged from about a .500 record at that time to a place they are familiar, challenging for the conference championship. As these two teams have proved over the last several years, it is tough to win three straight against the same opponent. Wednesday may, or may not, set up that scenario again. Third and fourth place are up for grabs as Widener (6-4, 15-6) and Alvernia (5-5, 12-9) tangle in Chester. If the Pride wins, they assure a tournament spot; the Crusaders need to win to avoid a tie with either Elizabethtown (4-6, 12-8) or Lycoming (4-6, 9-12) for the fourth spot. The Jays travel to Williamsport to see who will stay alive for post-season possibilities. Albright and Arcadia, both out of the tournament picture, play for pride in Glenside.

Freedom Women

A three- way tie for first ends on Wednesday night. King’s (7-3, 13-8) visits Delaware Valley (3-7, 9-12) – while the Monarchs have to be favorites, the Aggies are having an off year but still have the presence to be a spoiler. The DeSales (7-3, 14-7) game at Misericordia (7-3, 13-8) will drop one team from first to third. Manhattanville (6-4, 13-8) take the short hop to Madison, for a must win game for FDU (4-6, 8-12). A Devils win, and they still have an outside shot of a tournament spot; a Valiants win and they stay with the top of the league. Eastern (5-5, 13-8), perhaps the most improved team in the conference, visits Wilkes to keep their tournament chances alive.

Don’t’ forget about MAC swimming championships at the Catholic Youth Center this weekend (Friday-Sunday). More on that later.