Week Ahead
FRIDAY 2/17
No. 9 Denver atNo. 1 Minnesota
These schools have split the last four NCAA championships, and first place inthe WCHA--top-ranked Minnesota leads Denver by a point--is on the line. Dittofor college hockey's top individual honor. Denver defenseman Matt Carle (above)and Minnesota forward Ryan Potulny are leading candidates for the Hobey BakerAward. Check listings 8 p.m.
SATURDAY 2/18
Julio CésarChàvez Jr. vs. Carlos Molina
Forget living up to the legacy of his father, a five-time champion in fourdifferent weight classes; the 20-year-old Chàvez Jr. (below, with Dad) justwants to avenge the only blemish on his record (23-0-1), a draw with Molina inDecember. Molina (8-1-1) will be motivated too. The draw snapped hisfive-fight-winning streak. PPV 9 p.m.
SUNDAY 2/19
Daytona 500
A couple of cracked ribs won't keep Tony Stewart down. The defending Nextel Cupchampion flipped his car in a qualifier for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals inJanuary, but he will be on the starting line for NASCAR's season opener.Defending Daytona champ Jeff Gordon (left), meanwhile, will try to pick upwhere he left off in 2005. He had five top 10 finishes in the final seven racesof the season. NBC 1:30 p.m.
NBA All-StarGame
The game's in Houston, but the NBA's midseason spectacle will have a decidedlyDetroit vibe. Four members of the Pistons' starting lineup were selected asreserves for the Eastern Conference, including center Ben Wallace, the league'ssecond-leading rebounder (12.2 per game). Who will make sure they all get theirminutes? Detroit coach Flip Saunders, who will perform the same duties for theEast team. TNT 8:30 p.m.
MONDAY 2/20
No. 22 BostonCollege at No. 1 North Carolina
Tar Heels guard Ivory Latta is small, but her game isn't pint-sized. The5'6" junior (right) leads Carolina in scoring average (17.7) and assists(5.4) and helped the Heels (22-1) win their first 22 games. Check listings 7p.m.
On Shelves:Hardwood Dreams: Volumes 1 & 2
The compelling 1993 documentary on the state championship team from MorningsideHigh in Inglewood, Calif.--think Hoop Dreams with more sun--is released on DVD,along with a sequel that revisits the Morningside starting five 10 years later.Wesley Snipes narrates both films.
TUESDAY 2/21
SI PICK OF THEWEEK
Tall Order
The high-octaneMavericks are known for their offense, but there's been some big D played inBig D since shot-blocking center DeSagana Diop (above) joined the startinglineup last month. The 7-footer has averaged 1.4 blocks in 14 games since Jan.14, and the Mavs have gone 13-1 and allowed 6.7 fewer points per game than whenDiop was coming off the bench. But DD will have his hands full with Clippersforward Elton Brand. Last week L.A.'s leading scorer (25.6 points per game)became the Clippers' first All-Star since 2002. Check listings 8:30 p.m.
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GREG NELSON (DIOP)
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JC RIDLEY/WIREIMAGE.COM (LATTA)
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BOB ROSATO (GORDON)
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AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES (CHAVéZ)
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JAMIE SCHWABEROW/NCAA PHOTOS (CARLE)