Women’s basketball

Overall record: 9-8

NEWMAC record: 4-5

Remaining NEWMAC opponents: Smith, MIT, Springfield, WPI, Coast Guard, Wheaton, Clark

Beacon’s take: With about a month left in the season, the Lions are currently ranked sixth in the conference, and the top seven schools qualify for the conference playoffs. The Lions, however, have lost their last two conference games by over 23 points to Springfield College and Babson College, which both boast 8-1 records in the NEWMAC. Emerson has a home game against Smith College (2-6) on Jan. 31, which, despite its record so far, was a tough opponent for the Lions last year, which went 0-2 against the Pioneers. If the Lions can pick up wins against the bottom of the NEWMAC, they have a solid chance at making their first postseason appearance.

Men’s basketball

Overall record: 9-7

NEWMAC record: 3-3

Remaining NEWMAC opponents: Springfield, Babson, WPI, Clark, Coast Guard, MIT, Wheaton

Beacon’s take: The men’s basketball team will face Springfield College this Thursday in the first of two meetings this season. The Pride swept the Lions, which are both 3-3 in conference this season, in both of their matchups last year. Both of those games, however, were played without Emerson’s Austin Pinckney, who is currently leading the NEWMAC in rebounds per game. The two games this year against the Pride could make or break the Lions’ season, as they are currently in the last playoff spot. The Lions have faced every conference team once this season and will kick off the second cycle of conference competition at Babson College on Jan. 31.