The Week Ahead

FRIDAY 19

Coaches vs. Cancer Final ESPN2 9 p.m. | College hoopsters compete for a good cause at Madison Square Garden; since 1996 the tournament has raised $2.1 million to fight cancer. This year's format features teams--including No. 6 Syracuse--from 16 conferences.

SATURDAY 20

Stanford at No. 4 California Fox Sports Net 3:30 p.m. | Two hours before the Big Game, the Bears parade through Berkeley. Ironman World Championship NBC 4 p.m. | In Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 1,728 triathletes swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a marathon.

SUNDAY 21

Ford 400 NBC 1 p.m. | NASCAR's Chase for the Cup ends in Miami. Happy Birthday! | Earl (the Pearl) Monroe turns 60. The NBA Hall of Famer will open a supper club in Harlem next year. "It looks out on the water so you can see some pearls out there," he says.

MONDAY 22

Patriots at Chiefs ABC 9 p.m. | After leading the NFL in scoring defense last year, New England is 11th--bad news considering that Kansas City boasts a potent offense that didn't miss a beat with Priest Holmes sidelined last week. Derrick Blaylock ran for 186 yards.

TUESDAY 23

St. Joe's at No. 4 Kansas ESPN2 10 p.m. | With Jameer Nelson and Delonte West in the NBA, gunner Pat Carroll (45.4% from three last season) must lead the Hawks to an upset. Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel HBO 10 p.m. | A profile of explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.