Weekend Primer

By Eric Horowitz

What would be worse for Syracuse fan: Enduring frigid weather or watching Kyle McAlarney drain three-pointers? Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Your guide to the weekend, SIOC style

Friday

Slumber Party in the Carrier Dome: The low tonight in Syracuse is -7 degrees; according to the New York State Parks Department, that is not ideal weather for camping out for basketball tickets. Fortunately, Syracuse decided to open the Carrier Dome doors 40 hours early for Saturday's noon tip-off against Notre Dame, and as you read this students hoping to land tickets are already making the arena their new home. The downside is they must observe Kyle McAlarney draining 30-footers in the pregame shootaround while the realization slowly hits that it's impossible for a 2-3 zone to extend that far (last year McAlarney shot 9- of 11 from long range against the Orange).

Chipotle Grand Opening, University of Pennsylvania: There are a few unforgettable events in the life of a college student. There's your first class, your graduation, they day you meet your first love, and of course, the day the school's first Chipotle opens.

In Theaters: Notorious: The early reviews have been surprisingly positive. Still, it feels weird that there isn't also a competing Tupac movie opening this weekend.

Saturday

Men's Basketball: Drake at Northern Iowa, 12:05 p.m.: It's never too early to start paying attention to the Missouri Valley Conference. Actually, anytime before now is probably too early. The winner of this game knocks the other out of first place.

Men's Basketball: No. 2 Wake Forest at No. 10 Clemson, 3:30 p.m.: One team's hopes of a 38-0 season are about to be dashed. Memo to all point guards hoping to impress somebody: Do not go head-to-head with Jeff Teague.

Men's Basketball: No. 16 Arizona St. at No. 9 UCLA, 3:45 p.m.: It's a big day for Mr. James Harden. A dominating performance and he'll be locked into the top 5 of this year's NBA draft. A poor performance and, well, he'll still be a high draft pick, but his mom won't be as happy.

East-West Shrine Game, ESPN2, 4 p.m.: Seniors compete to win the affection of NFL scouts (marked by the ceremonial giving of a rose.) Here a few other things you should know about the game:

1. It's the only college football game where players from American and Canadian teams compete with or against each other.

2. The game's sponsor (the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) is a Masonic Body. Cool.

3. According to Mel Kiper Jr.'s Facebook page, he will be attending the event.

Sunday

Men's Basketball: Kentucky at Georgia, 12 p.m.: Jodie Meeks fans, prepare to become familiar with the concept of "regression towards the mean."

Recyclemania 2009!!!: The nationwide college recycling competition (437 schools are registered) begins with a bang. Last year Kalamazoo College was named grand champion, but Auburn's decision to bring in a recycled football coaching staff makes them the early favorite.

Comments? Event Suggestions? Hate Mail? Eric.Horow@Gmail.com