Garceau: Snowed In? Here Is What To Watch & When
So here it comes, the snowstorm they tell us will be measured in feet not inches. Take it from somebody who grew up with 8-foot snowbanks for months (and an annual snowfall approaching 200 inches) don't panic!
By now you've gathered your milk and toilet paper so just sit back and enjoy the white stuff. We live in a crazy fast world where everybody is in a hurry, a weekend like this lets us hit the brakes and slow down. If your thing is sports stay close to the fire and the remote and enjoy!
For your viewing pleasure we offer the following snow-bound menu.
Saturday
Too early to start shoveling so why not check out some college basketball that will be available all over the dial. If it's an East Coast game please check your local listings. In Philadelphia fourth ranked Villanova has moved their game with 16th ranked Providence from Saturday to Sunday at 1:00.
If Maryland basketball warms you up you can spend all day with The Terps. It's Maryland and Michigan State in East Lansing and it starts with ESPN's first College GameDay of the season. The morning show begins at 11 a.m. on ESPN, followed by an evening edition leading into the game telecast. Host Rece Davis, is joined by analysts Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg and Jay Williams. Dan Shulman, Bilas and reporter Shannon Spake will have the call of the game with tip-off at 6:30.
If improving the Ravens is on your mind check out the draft prospects in the 91st East-West Shrine Game. The game is played at Tropicana Field (home of the Rays) in St. Petersburg, Florida. Among those to watch, Navy star QB Keenan Reynolds who will debut at running back for the East. Maryland's Brandon Ross will also be at running back for the East. The NFL Network has the game at 4:00.
Sunday
Snow clearing at some point here, but there's a lot of good stuff to work around. In the spirit of the snow and ice how 'bout some Penguins-Caps hockey to get things going, the Caps are the best thing on skates this season (35-8-3). NBC has the broadcast from the Verizon Center at 12:30.
If the snowdrifts are getting you depressed and summer is a distant memory grab that remote and warm up! Check out Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy in the Abu Dhabi Championship or closer to home check out Phil Mickelson and Jason Duffner in the CareerBuilder Challenge in California.
If you really want to turn up the heat, head down under to watch the biggest names in tennis in the Australian Open.
All of the above is fine and dandy but the main course stars at 3:05 (CBS) Sunday when the Patriots and Broncos kick off the AFC Championship Game in Denver. The shoveling can wait, this is Brady vs. Manning (the last time?) for a trip to the Super Bowl. I'll give the Belichick's a slight edge but it should be a good one.
The NFC Championship Game is next with Arizona at Carolina kicking off at 6:40 (Fox). The AFC title game features two quarterback legends; this game features the new gun and likely 2015 MVP Cam Newton. Arizona's Carson Palmer needs to be better here than he was last week against Green Bay. Two well balanced teams I'll give Carolina the home field edge.
By now it's probably bed time if the snow storm and sports weekend has you wired you may have trouble dozing off, so do what I do, Instead of counting sheep count Chris Davis's new $164 million dollar contract. Start at $ 1,000 and count up…$1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5.000 etc. I had trouble dozing off Thursday night but still only made it to $2.4 million.
If you make it all the way to $164 million (it could take 45-50 hours) you should seek professional help, right after you shovel your driveway.
