Thursday, Dec. 18
Men's college basketball, SEC/Big East Challenge, Mississippi State at Cincinnati (5:30 p.m., Cincinnati, ESPN2/105.9 FM) and Ole Miss vs. Louisville (8 p.m., Cincinnati, ESPN/97.3 FM): The Bulldogs and Rebels face a huge challenge against a couple of Big East heavyweights. This could get ugly, especially the Rebels' game.
Friday, Dec. 19
NBA basketball, Golden State at Atlanta (6:30 p.m., FSN South): The Warriors can't get Monta Ellis back fast enough. Unfortunately, his suspension won't end in time for this game.
Saturday, Dec. 20
College football, Memphis vs. South Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl (3:30 p.m., ESPN2): The Tigers had trouble beating the Bulls when they were both in C-USA. Nothing has changed.
Sunday, Dec. 21
NFL football, New Orleans at Detroit (noon, Ch. 40/620 AM): Fox is supposed to show the Saints (7-7) at the Lions (0-14), but they might not have the guts.
College football, Southern Miss vs. Troy in the New Orleans Bowl (7:15 p.m., New Orleans, ESPN/1180 AM/103.3 FM): The Superdome scoreboards will get a workout when the spread offenses of the Golden Eagles and Trojans collide.
Movie, "Ben-Hur" (12:15 a.m., TCM): Francis X. Bushman is the bad guy in the 1925 silent version of the biblical epic. The chariot race still kicks ass, though.
Monday, Dec. 22
Men's college basketball, Mississippi State vs. Nicholls State (7 p.m., Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, 105.9 FM): The Bulldogs make their annual visit to the Big House. No wonder State signs whomever they want out of Jackson.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
College football, Boise State vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (6 p.m., ESPN): The Broncos went undefeated (including a victory over Southern Miss). But instead of going to a BCS game, they're stuck in this game. At least they got a trip to San Diego.
Wednesday, Dec. 24
College football, Notre Dame at Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl (6 p.m., ESPN): The Irish finish 6-6, and their reward is a trip to Hawaii. Something is wrong with this picture.
The Slate is compiled by Doctor S between slugs of eggnog.