EVENTS TO WATCH
NHL » Devils at Flyers, Monday, 7 p.m., Versus
There is no love lost between the Devils and Flyers not to mention the massive amount of penalty minutes these two rack against each other. The real joy is that Caps fans hate both of them, so it’s a no-lose affair. Plus does anyone want to watch Ravens-Browns?
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Men’s basketball » Temple at Georgetown, Tuesday, 4 p.m., ESPN
What happened to St. Leo? An early test for the Hoyas as they face the Owls at Verizon Center in what should be a real defensive battle. Truth be told, Temple is not the team they once were — but they will be up, hoping to knock off Georgetown.
NBA » Cavaliers at Wizards, Wednesday, 7 p.m., CSN/ESPN
LeBron, Shaq and the Cavs are in town for a matchup with the Wiz. The first time these two met it was close till the Cavs were able to pull away at the end. Fans at the “Phone Booth” hope for a good night for the home team.
UFL » Tuskers at Redwoods, Thursday, 9 p.m., Versus
OK, it is time to see what is going on in the “other league.” No truth to the rumor that the Redskins will play in the UFL next season. However, the quality of play in the UFL thus far has been pretty good. So checkout the undefeated Tuskers as they face the second-place Redwoods? — Jim Williams
BOLD PREDICTIONS
1. Ireland will shock France to qualify for the World Cup » Quick, choose which team finished the group stage of UEFA World Cup qualifying undefeated, France or Ireland? Wrong, it was Ireland, who despite going 4-0-6 has been paired with the 1998 World Cup champions in a playoff round that will determine the final four teams from Europe to earn a place in South Africa next summer. Despite advancing to the 2006 final, everything has gone wrong for the French since — starting with Zinedine Zidane’s infamous head butt and followed by a winless effort at the 2008 European Championships. Nevertheless, with Thierry Henry and Yohan Gourcuff, the French are favorites to advance but Damien Duff, Robbie Keane — and their Italian coach, Giovanni Trapptoni — have the luck of the Irish on their side and will get back to the big dance for the first time since 2002. — Craig Stouffer
2. Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer will sign a contract extension by spring training » Sometimes the premier free agent in a given year is determined to extract every last dollar from whatever big-market team will meet his price. Alex Rodriguez has somehow done this three different times — first with Texas and then with the Yankees twice. Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer will not be that guy. First, his agent is Ron Shapiro — the man who kept Kirby Puckett in the Twin Cities and Cal Ripken in Baltimore. Mauer will follow their path with an extension before he becomes a free agent after next season. Now, the price tag — even in this economy — will still be in excess of $20 million for a 26-year-old hometown kid who might win his first American League MVP Award this month. But the Twins can afford it with a new stadium opening up in April. If the rest of the team has to be built through the draft and trades, so be it. — Brian McNally
