Every year in December a few small-conference teams play tough schedules, win a few games, or even get ranked; they then disappear for two months while most fans watch BCS conference schools contend. Then the small-conference teams return in March amid debates about how good they are, and how far they would go, if they got more respect.

Last season one such team was Wisconsin-Green Bay, who are flattening Horizon League opponents as usual. Yesterday they squashed Loyola-Chicago; the 40-point margin was the second highest in the history of the conference. The Phoenix's four losses include an early-season mishap at Iowa, a loss at DePaul, and a collapse at Indiana State, less embarrassing now that Indy State's Sycamores are 19 and 2.

Longtime UWGB coach Kevin Borseth rejected the Colorado job last year, choosing to stay in Green Bay. He's taken his team to the Big Dance eight times, and seems to be on track for a ninth. (They've won there exactly once, in 2003, though they kept last year's match against Maryland interesting.)

This year's first small-conference head-turner was Western Kentucky,led by forward Crystal Kelly, whom Clay really liked in November, and sorta likes now.

Last night the Hilltoppers won again. Their Sun Belt conference record looks OK, but with losses to Alabama-Birmingham, Arkansas State, and Arkansas-Little Rock, they're not exactly a threat for an at-large bid.

You might have more fun keeping track of Hartford, who stayed undefeated in the America East by demolishing Albany. Jen Rizzotti's Hawks rise to 18-2 overall, with losses to UConn and Miami (Florida); their best win appears to be over Stony Brook, who aren't exactly a top ten team, but did beat Temple.