Ellington

Thursday, Feb. 19
Movie, "Varsity Blues" (9 p.m., TBS): A Texas high-school football program is the backdrop of teenage angst and antics. How much of the whipped-cream bikini scene can TBS show?

Friday, Feb. 20
College baseball, it's opening day for the Big Three: Ole Miss vs. Lehigh (1 p.m., Mobile, Ala.), Lehigh at Southern Miss (4 p.m., Hattiesburg) and Northern Illinois at Mississippi State (6 p.m., Starkville).

Saturday, Feb. 21
Men's college basketball, Georgia at Ole Miss (4 p.m., Oxford, FSN South/97.3 FM): The Rebels are hanging tough, and the Bulldogs have shown signs of life. … Grambling State at Jackson State (5:30 p.m., Jackson, 1300 AM): The Blue Bengals hope to continue their rampage through the SWAC.

Sunday, Feb. 22
NBA basketball, Boston at Phoenix (1:30 p.m., Ch. 16): It will be interesting to see who's been traded by the Suns and who's still playing for them when the Celtics come to town.

Monday, Feb. 23
High school basketball, MHSAA Boys and Girls State Tournament (times and teams TBA, Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson): Mississippi's greatest sports event begins its two-week run at the Big House. Good news: This is the last year for the tourney's bloated, unwieldy format. Starting in 2010, only the final four in each class will be coming to Jackson. … MPSA Overall Tournament (times and teams TBA, Mississippi College, Clinton): This is the big one for the state's academy teams. If JA and MRA don't play for the boys title, Doctor S will be shocked, shocked.

Tuesday, Feb. 24
College baseball, Belhaven at Mississippi College (6 p.m., Clinton): The Blazers and Choctaws continue the battle for the Maloney Trophy, but both sides wish they were playing for a big TV.

Wednesday, Feb. 25
Men's college basketball, Mississippi State at Tennessee (8 p.m., Knoxville, Tenn., Ch. 12/105.9 FM): The Bulldogs and Vols both need wins if they're to get in the NCAA Tournament.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who has never used a performance-enhancing substance, unless you count import beer.