This week's top 10 things to watch
The top 10 things to look for in sports this week (starting Monday):
No. 10 Locally, UCCS will have the official grand opening of the UCCS Events Center on Friday with a hoops doubleheader and there is another twinbill Saturday; there is Colorado Classic swimming and diving Friday and women’s and men’s home basketball Sunday; plus lots of events at Air Force all weekend, including swimming and tennis.
No. 9 The Australian Open tennis tournament works it way through its first week.
No. 8 There is top-flight snowboarding at Park City, Utah, before the Winter X Games and Olympics; there is Olympic wrestling in town Friday at the OTC with a Freestyle World Cup Wrestle-off and USA vs. Belarus Duals; plus some more U.S. Olympic teams will be named, including the sliders.
No. 7 Prep highlights include Colorado Springs Metro wrestling championships at Doherty on Friday and Saturday.
No. 6 The U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Wash., will have national titlists and an Olympic team named by Sunday.
No. 5 The Avs are home against the Oilers on Monday, Predators on Friday and Stars on Sunday.
No. 4 The Nuggets visit Golden State on Wednesday before returning home vs. the Clippers on Thursday and Chris Paul and New Orleans on Saturday.
No. 3 Air Force’s men’s basketball team hosts New Mexico on Wednesday before visiting always tough Utah on Saturday.
No. 2 Air Force hockey is home vs. Holy Cross on Friday and Saturday; Colorado College visits Alaska-Anchorage late Friday and Saturday nights.
No. 1 NFL conference championship games Sunday determine the Super Bowl participants.
Also receiving votes:
- The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo concludes in Denver on Sunday.
- The Champions Tour has its season opener with Fred Couples and Corey Pavin among the rookies.
- Air Force football safety Chris Thomas is scheduled to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday.
