With so many teams in contention for a top eight spot, it is shaping up as an exciting finish to the men's State Basketball League season. Check out SBL.asn.au writer Jacob Kagi's analysis on each team's schedule over the final month and prediction of where each team will finish.

1. Lakeside Lightning (18-2 record) - The run home: Rockingham (H), Kalamunda (A), Stirling (A), Geraldton (H), Mandurah (H), Southwest (H). Andy Stewart's side is in dominant form and are all but guaranteed top spot. While an upset is possible, Lakeside should finish the season with just two losses. Predicted finish: 24-2, 1st place.

2. Wanneroo Wolves (16-5) - The run home: Goldfields (A), East Perth (A), Southwest (H), Perth (H), Stirling (A). Wanneroo's schedule isn't easy, but with its strong form, a top two finish is very likely. East Perth away shapes as the biggest test. Predicted finish: 20-6, 2nd place.

3. Cockburn Cougars (14-7) - The run home: Willetton (H), Goldfields (A), Southwest (H), Kalamunda (A), Mandurah (H). The Cougars have faltered somewhat lately, but they'll start heavy favourites in their final five games. Predicted finish: 19-7, 4th place.

4. Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks (13-7) - The run home: Kalamunda (H), Perth (A), Geraldton (H), Rockingham (A), Willetton (H), Mandurah (A). The Hawks finish with several tricky games but with their solid form, they should hold onto a top four spot. Predicted finish: 19-7, 3rd place.

5. Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers (12-9) - The run home: Cockburn (A), Rockingham (H), Perry Lakes (A), Goldfields (H), East Perth (A). Three very difficult away games against top six sides could continue Willetton's faltering form, but they shouldn't have any problems making the finals. Predicted finish: 14-12, 6th place.

6. Australian Central East Perth Eagles (11-9) - The run home: Geraldton (A), Wanneroo (H), Kalamunda (H), Southwest (A), Willetton (H), Perth (A). East Perth is in outstanding form and should win at least four of its final six games, but could win as many as five or even all six. Predicted finish: 16-10, 5th place.

7. ATD Stirling Senators (11-10) - The run home: Southwest (A), Lakeside (H), Kalamunda (A), Geraldton (A), Wanneroo (H). To guarantee a finals spot, the Senators will have to beat the Slammers and then one of Kalamunda or Geraldton away. It's a tough run, but they should get the necessary two wins. Predicted finish: 13-13, 8th place.

8. Perth Redbacks (10-11) - The run home: Mandurah (H), Rockingham (A), Perry Lakes (H), Wanneroo (A), East Perth (H). The Redbacks will need to beat either Perry Lakes or East Perth at home to make the finals, which will take a great improvement on their poor form at Belmont Oasis, but should sneak into the finals. Predicted finish: 13-13, 7th place.

9. SKILLED Goldfields Giants (10-11) - The run home: Wanneroo (H), Cockburn (H), Mandurah (A), Willetton (A), Rockingham (H). Two very tough home games are followed by a difficult road-trip and the Giants could lose their next four, which would rule them out of finals contention. Predicted finish: 11-15, 10th place.

10. Kalamunda Eastern Suns (9-10) - The run home: Perry Lakes (A), Lakeside (H), Mandurah (A), Stirling (H), East Perth (A), Cockburn (H), Geraldton (A). Kalamunda has a nightmare final month and aren't guaranteed to win any games. Should beat the Magic and Buccs and have a good chance against Stirling, but it's hard to find a fourth win to get them into the top eight. Predicted finish: 12-14, 9th place.

11. Mandurah Magic (7-13) - The run home: Perth (A), Kalamunda (H), Lakeside (A), Goldfields (H), Perry Lakes (H), Cockburn (A). The Magic would have to win all six to make the eight and that won't happen, but they could cause an upset or two. Predicted finish: 8-18, 11th place.

12. Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers (7-14) - The run home: East Perth (H), Lakeside (A), Perry Lakes (A), Stirling (H), Kalamunda (H). A nightmare season ends with a tough run home for the Buccs and it's hard to see them winning any of their final five games. Predicted finish: 7-19, 12th place.

13. Rockingham Flames (6-15) - The run home: Lakeside (A), Perth (H), Willetton (A), Perry Lakes (H), Goldfields (A). With nothing more to play for than pride, it's hard to see the Flames causing an upset against any of the teams desperate to get into the finals. Predicted finish: 6-20, 13th place.

14. Southwest Slammers (0-21) - The run home: Stirling (H), Wanneroo (A), Cockburn (A), East Perth (H), Lakeside (H). Southwest's run home is brutal and it's unlikely they'll be able to upset any of the top eight teams they face in the final month. Predicted finish: 0-26, 14th place.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)

Follow the SBL on Facebook