The Week Ahead
FRIDAY 14
In Theaters: Coach Carter | Samuel L. Jackson stars in the story of a tough hoops coach. NCAA Hockey, Army at Air Force CSTV 8 p.m. | The game will be telecast to bases in 178 countries, including Iraq, where eight former Black Knights are stationed.
SATURDAY 15
Figure Skating, U.S. Championships ABC 4 p.m. | In Portland, Michelle Kwan, 24, goes for her eighth national title in a row. Colts at Patriots CBS 4:30 p.m. | The divisional playoff is a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game, which New England won 24--14.
SUNDAY 16
On This Day | One hundred years ago Ottawa's Frank McGee scored 14 goals in a Stanley Cup playoff game against Dawson City; his record still stands. Women's Basketball, No. 17 Rutgers at No. 10 Ohio State ESPN2 3 p.m. | Rutgers has upset three top 10 teams.
MONDAY 17
Suns at Pistons NBATV 3:30 p.m. | Martin Luther King Day matinee pits Phoenix's dynamic offense--led by Steve Nash (an NBA-high 11.0 assists per game), the Suns average nearly eight points per game more than any other team--against the league's second-stingiest D.
TUESDAY 18
NASCAR Preseason Thunder SPEED 7 p.m. | A test session for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 20 is open to fans. Australian Open ESPN2 11 p.m. | Day 3 from Down Under. Roger Federer looks for his fourth title in his last five Grand Slam events.
WEDNESDAY 19
1992 Sugar Bowl ESPN Classic 10 p.m. Remember when Notre Dame and Florida were national powers? Trailing 22--17, the Fighting Irish got three touchdown runs from Jerome Bettis in the final 4:48 to topple Steve Spurrier's third-ranked Gators 39--28.
THURSDAY 20
No. 14 Iowa at No. 1 Illinois ESPN 7 p.m. | At 12--3, the Hawkeyes are off to their best start in five years. To knock off the top-ranked Fighting Illini, they'll need guard Pierre Pierce (17.9 points per game) to outplay guard Dee Brown, who is averaging 5.1 assists.
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COURTESY OF THE AIR FORCE MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE (HOCKEY)
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HOCKEY HALL OF FAME (MCGHEE)
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ROBERT BECK (NASCAR FAN)
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JOHN GRESS/ICON SMI (BROWN)
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AL TIELEMANS (BETTIS)
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ROY DABNER/AP (NASH)
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PAUL CHIASSON/CP/AP (KWAN)