This week's top 10 things to watch
The top 10 things to look for in sports this week (starting Monday):
No. 10 Local college highlights include the first UCCS home basketball women’s/men’s twinbill of the season Saturday, CC women’s/men’s hoop doubleheaders Friday and Sunday and Air Force women’s basketball with a home tourney Friday and Saturday.
No. 9 The Avs play at defending champion Pittsburgh on Thursday, their only matchup this season, after visiting Tampa Bay on Monday and Florida on Wednesday and before visiting Columbus on Saturday.
No. 8 The Nuggets are home vs. Golden State on Tuesday and Miami on Thursday and at San Antonio on Saturday.
No. 7 The Classical Academy girls, led by Kaitlin Hanenburg, and Pine Creek’s Heather Bates will compete in the national cross country meet in Portland, Ore. In other Colorado prep sports, the 2A-5A football finals are held Saturday during the first week of winter sports action, which includes the Palmer and Doherty basketball tournament, and spirit finals Saturday and Sunday.
No. 6 Air Force’s men’s basketball team hosts North Carolina Central on Wednesday and visits Missouri State on Saturday as part of an MWC-Missouri Valley exchange.
No. 5 Air Force hockey hosts American International on Friday and Saturday.
No. 4 It is BCS day Sunday so the bowl lineup, including who and where Air Force plays, will be set by then.
No. 3 College football’s highlights include Florida vs. Alabama for the SEC Championship and BCS championship game berth and the Big 12 Championship on Saturday, plus Oregon vs. Oregon State on Thursday for a Rose Bowl berth. Air Force begins bowl practice Friday.
No. 2 The Broncos have historically had a tough time winning in Kansas City late in the year, and Sunday’s atmosphere will likely be emotional with Derrick Thomas’ jersey retirement.
No. 1 Colorado College hosts Denver on Friday and visits the Pioneers on Saturday in a tremendous college hockey rivalry, featuring two of the nation’s top teams.
Also receiving votes
- There is men’s World Cup skiing at Beaver Creek on Friday through Sunday, the last top-level competition in North America until the Olympics.
- Other NFL highlights include Monday’s New England at New Orleans matchup and Sunday contests Philly at Atlanta, Houston at Jacksonville, Minnesota at Arizona and Dallas at the Giants.
- Men’s college basketball includes North Carolina vs. Michigan State on Tuesday and at Kentucky on Saturday.
- The U.S. and 31 other teams find out who they’re playing next year when the World Cup soccer draw is held Friday.
- The National Finals Rodeo starts Thursday in Las Vegas with former Elbert resident Jordon Peterson (daughter of four-time world champion barrel racer Kristie Peterson) among the Colorado competitors.
- There is air rifle and pistol competition at the OTC from Friday to Sunday.
