Week Ahead
SATURDAY 1/27
Jorge Arce vs. Julio Ler
There's flamboyant and then there's Arce (right). The outspoken ex--reality TV star—he was on the Mexican version of Big Brother—Arce (4531) is known as much for his elaborate entrances (he once arrived at the ring on a motorcycle) as he is for his potent right hand (he has 35 wins by KO). He'll put a 25-bout winning streak on the line in Anaheim against Ler (23--1), who is fighting for the first time outside of Argentina. HBO 10:15 p.m.
Senior Bowl
Three weeks after Florida's 41--14 win in the BCS championship game, Chris Leak and Troy Smith will meet again. Ohio State's Smith (left), who is leading the North team, will try to make NFL scouts forget his dismal performance in Glendale, where he went just 4 of 14 for 35 yards. The Heisman winner will face a South squad that has four Gators, including quarterback Leak. NFL Network 3 p.m.
College Hockey: No. 15 North Dakota at No. 1 Minnesota
Thanks to homegrown talents Erik Johnson (the top pick in the 2006 NHL draft) and Kyle Okposo (the seventh pick), Minnesota ran off a school-record 22-game unbeaten streak. The rest of the Gophers' roster isn't too shabby either: Fourteen players were NHL draft picks. Check listings 8 p.m.
SUNDAY 1/28
Boston College at No. 10 Duke
Think Josh McRoberts is regretting his decision to pass on the NBA draft? Considered a possible lottery pick after his freshman season, the 6'10" Blue Devils forward (right) stayed in school and has been a triple threat this season, averaging 12.6 points while leading Duke in rebounds (7.7 per game) and assists (4.1). McRoberts will get more open looks against BC than he expected: Last week the Eagles dismissed center Sean Williams for violating team rules. Check listings 5:30 p.m.
MONDAY 1/29
Nets at Jazz
Stop the presses! A team in the Atlantic has hit the .500 mark. First-place New Jersey, the hottest team in the East, has evened its record at 20--20—and they've done it without center Nenad Krstic, who tore his ACL on Dec. 22. During the Nets' current 9--2 stretch, Mikki Moore has stepped into the starting lineup and averaged 10.7 points while shooting 66.7% from the floor. NBA TV 9 p.m.
SI PICK OF THE WEEK
THURSDAY 1/25
Superman Returns
He hasn't played since mid-December, but don't expect Tiger Woods to be rusty. Earlier this month Woods spent a week of 12-hour days working with his swing coach, Hank Haney, who declared that his star pupil, who won $9.9 million last year, will "get off to a good start—wait and see." His first test: the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines, an event Woods has won four times. If he triumphs again, he'll stretch his winning streak in PGA Tour events to seven. Thursday and Friday Golf Channel 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday CBS 3 p.m.
TWO PHOTOS
ROBERT BECK (WOODS, ARCE)
PHOTO
HOWARD SMITH/US PRESSWIRE (MCROBERTS)
PHOTO
BOB ROSATO (SMITH)