Ellington

Thursday, Feb. 8
Rodeo, Dixie National Rodeo (7 p.m.): Grab your hats and boots, pardners, the Dixie National is beginning its seven-day run at the Mississippi Coliseum.

Friday, Feb. 9
College baseball, East Texas Baptist at Millsaps (4 p.m.): The Majors open their season. Dress warmly, Majors fans.

Saturday, Feb. 10
Men's college basketball, Alabama at Ole Miss (4 p.m., Oxford, FSN South/97.3 FM): The Rebels are tough at home. The Crimson Tide is ebbing. … Alcorn State at Mississippi Valley State (7:30 p.m., Itta Bena): Two of the SWAC's best duel in the Delta. … Pro football, Pro Bowl (6 p.m., Ch. 12): If you're really, really desperate to see pro football, this glorified scrimmage is just the ticket.

Sunday, Feb. 11
College baseball, New Orleans at Ole Miss (1:30 p.m., Oxford): The Rebels wrap up their season-opening series.

Monday, Feb. 12
Men's college basketball, Prairie View A&M at Jackson State (7:30 p.m., 1400 AM): The Tigers' Trey Johnson still leads the nation in scoring.

Tuesday, Feb. 13
College baseball, Millsaps at Mississippi College (4 p.m., Clinton): The Maloney Trophy series begins. Why not let these guys play for one of those plasma televisions?

Wednesday, Feb. 14
Men's college basketball, LSU at Ole Miss (7 p.m., Oxford, Ch. 12/97.3 FM): Who thought the Tigers would be looking up at the Rebels in the SEC West at this time of year? … Belhaven at Wesley (3:30 p.m., Florence): Beware, Blazers: Wesley has assembled one of the best small-college teams in the country.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who's waiting for pitchers and catchers to report.