What to Watch this Weekend

As we come to the first weekend after real football has ended (who watched the Pro-Bowl?), a big question on the minds of football fans is "What am I going to do with my Sunday?" That's where I'll come in, delivering a little of everything for the avid sports fan to have an enjoyable weekend before going back to work Monday.

Saturday
College Basketball

#6 Georgetown (19-2, 9-1 Big East) at Louisville (17-6, 7-3 Big East); 9 pm EST (ESPN): Most intriguing matchup of Saturday's schedule. Louisville is coming off a big road upset of Marquette during the week, and Pitino seems to have his team rolling. A win here would put them on the rankings for sure. Key matchup here is big man Roy Hibbert vs. David Padgett.

Prediction: Louisville 64-59

NBA

Atlanta (21-25) at Houston (29-20); 8:30 pm EST: Not a great slate of games for Saturday, but Atlanta is an interesting team, and Houston's my dark horse pick to make the NBA Finals. Atlanta's 3 game winning streak was snapped tonight vs. Cleveland, so they look to rebound. Yao's playing some of his best basketball.

Prediction: 116-111 Houston

NHL

NY Rangers (27-24-6, 60 pts) at Philadelphia (30-18-5, 65 pts); 1 pm EST: The Rangers are fighting for one of the final playoff spots, and this would be a big road win plus a confidence boost. They've moved ahead of the Islanders and opened a tiny gap over the past week. Philly's having a very good season, but their chances of winning the Cup are slim, does Philly ever win anything?

Prediction: 3-1 New York

Sunday
College Basketball

#13 Indiana (19-3, 8-1 Big Ten) at Ohio State (16-7, 7-3 Big Ten); 1 pm EST (CBS): Indiana barely skated by Illinois in their last game, and although the fans may not be on Eric Gordon as much, the game is tougher against the Buckeyes. Losing Oden and Conley hurt, but Ohio State still looks like a team that should be dancing in March.

Prediction: Indiana 70-60

Clemson (17-5, 5-3 ACC) at #3 North Carolina (21-2, 6-2 ACC); 6:30 pm EST (FSN): This is a battle for 2nd place in the ACC standings, and Clemson looks to finish off what they couldn't at home earlier this season. North Carolina looks to avoid a second consecutive home loss, as they lost to Dook 89-78 Wednesday. The key to this one will be if Ellington and Green are shooting the ball much better. Ellington had his best game of his career when these teams battled for the first time this season. Look for another double double from Psycho T, and I think Deon Thompson has an impact on this one as well.

Prediction: 83-61 North Carolina

NBA

*GAME OF THE WEEKEND*
San Antonio (32-16) at Boston (38-9); 1 pm EST (ABC): The game of the weekend. A preview of the NBA Finals? The defending champs take on the best team in the NBA in what should be a good battle. Tim Duncan should have a big game, but does San Antonio have the depth to stop Boston at this point in time?

Prediction: San Antonio 98-89

Denver (29-19) at Cleveland (28-21); 7 pm EST: Carmelo vs. LeBron in a matchup of 2 teams who hope to pull of an upset or 2 en route to the Finals. Allen Iverson should shine in this one, and LeBron will get his share. Carmelo's been playing some great basketball as well lately, and Denver as a team is playing solid. LeBron can't beat them by himself. I'm calling 40+ points from Melo.

Prediction: Denver 114-94

Don't watch the Pro Bowl folks, it's a waste of your time. Please leave comments and spread the word about my blog.