Ellington

Thursday, Dec. 4
Men's college basketball, UCLA at Texas (8 p.m., ESPN2): The Bruins and Longhorns meet in an intriguing early season matchup.

Friday, Dec. 5
High school football, MHSAA championship games (Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Ch. 29): It's South Panola vs. Meridian (7 p.m.) in a rematch of last year's Class 5A title game. The Tigers are going for their 80th consecutive victory. In the 1A final, Puckett faces Calhoun City (2:30 p.m.).

Saturday, Dec. 6
High school football, MHSAA championship games (Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Ch. 29): The old horseshoe hosts a tasty triple header of title games with Baldwyn vs. Forest in 2A (11 a.m.), Louisville vs. Tylertown in 3A (3 p.m.) and Noxubee County vs. D'Iberville (7 p.m.).

Sunday, Dec. 7
NFL football, Atlanta at New Orleans (noon, New Orleans, Ch. 40/620 AM): If the Saints want to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, they have to beat the Dirty Birds.

Monday, Dec. 8
College basketball, Texas Lutheran at Mississippi College (women, 5:30 p.m.; men, 7:30 p.m., Clinton): The Baptists face the Lutherans in an ASC doubleheader. … NFL football, Tampa Bay at Carolina (7:30 p.m., ESPN/930 AM): The Buccaneers and the Panthers meet in the game that could decide who wins the NFC South.

Tuesday, Dec. 9
Book signing, "Boo, A Life In Baseball, Well-Lived" (4-7 p.m., Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum): Mississippi baseball legend Boo Ferriss is the subject of new biography written by Clarion-Ledger sports columnist Rick Cleveland. Both will be on hand for the signing party.

Wednesday, Dec. 10
Men's college basketball, Charlotte at Mississippi State (6 p.m., Starkville, 105.9 FM): The Bulldogs play host to the 49ers, formerly of C-USA.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who's been hitting the eggnog pretty hard lately.