Weekend Primer

Your guide to the weekend, SIOC style

Lecture of the Week: "Racial Discrimination Among NBA Referees," Oregon State, 3:30 p.m.Joseph P. Price will talk about his controversial paper, which accuses NBA officials of exhibiting racial bias. The NBA flat out denies the paper's conclusions, but the league still hasn't proposed an alternative explanation for Brian Scalabrine's seven point, six rebound explosion last April.

"Burn the Bulldogs" Parade and Pep Rally, Auburn University, 3:45 p.m.I know Saturday's game against Georgia is a big one, but isn't "Burn the Bulldogs" a bit harsh, especially in the post-Mike Vick world in which we live? I'll try not to say "I told you so" if a PETA van rams the main parade float a la Animal House.

Vote to Name Memphis' New Student CenterIt's the last day to vote on a name for this sparkling new building. The favorites remain "Student Union" and "The University Center," but write-in suggestion "Mario Chalmers is a Sissy" has made a strong push.

NCAA Men's Basketball: Penn at No. 1 North Carolina, 4 p.m.Tyler Hansbrough will miss the game with a shin injury. Apparently his 7-year-old cousin (reportedly the toughest Hansbrough yet) kicked him. Roy Williams isn't too concerned, though. He's only worried about his top priority: Cheering on his Kansas Jayhawks as they begin their title defense.

NCAA Football: No. 16 North Carolina at Maryland, 3:30 p.m.Nine ACC teams still have a chance to win the conference title and earn the right to be destroyed by a more deserving BCS team. North Carolina and Maryland both want that right.

NCAA Football: Boston College at No. 23 Florida State, 8 p.m.Another (non) crucial ACC matchup. The new Doug Flutie statue standing outside the stadium will undoubtedly invigorate the Eagles by reminding them their predecessors once won a big game 20 years ago.

NCAA Men's Basketball: UMKC at No. 23 Kansas, 8:30 p.m.The Jayhawks are without six of their top seven scorers from last year, and that has Kangaroo fans excited. If UNKC pulls off the upset, it'll get to declare itself the national champion via the transitive property.