The holidays have passed and the new year is upon the Miles men's and women's basketball programs as they are both set to resume their Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship chases today.

The Lady Bears and Golden Bears are on the road at Central State, with the women tipping off at 1 p.m. and the men set to start at 3 p.m. The women have already seen the Lady Marauders (2-9, 1-8 SIAC), having secured a 76-61 win at Knox-Windham Gymnasium on Nov. 25. The men are getting their first crack at the Marauders this season but have won 12 straight against CSU (3-6, 2-5) and have not lost in Wilberforce since Jan. 13, 2018 - nearly eight years ago.

While getting back on the hardwood for the first time in 15 days to resume their title chases, both Miles programs have remained in the spotlight over the winter break. While both teams lost their first conference matchups before the holidays, they are still ranked among the best in Division II and HBCU basketball.

The Lady Bears (9-2, 7-1) lead the SIAC West Division and are currently ranked No. 24 in the WBCA Division II Top 25 poll. They are also placed at No. 2 in the HBCUGo Top Five in Division II. Miles is No. 9 in the country in turnovers forced per game and could see that ranking increase against a Central State team that turned the ball over 33 times in Nov. 25 contest.

The Golden Bears (8-1, 6-1) also lead the SIAC West and are currently ranked No. 21 in the NABC Division II Top 25 poll. The HBCUGo Top Five has Miles placed at No. 2 among Division II programs. The team is fifth in the county in blocked shots per game - with Cameron Jernigan currently second in the nation - is sixth in field goal defense and 22nd in free throw percentage.

Both teams will follow their games at Central State with trip to Frankfort, Ky. to face Kentucky State on Monday before returning home on Jan. 8 to host Lane at Knox-Windham Gymnasium.