NCAA Women’s National Championship Game, Tuesday, ESPN, 8:30 p.m.
Many have called this tournament the “UConn Classic.” Can the Huskies be beaten? We will see, come Tuesday night in San Antonio, if they can go undefeated once again.

The Masters, Par 3 contest, Wednesday, ESPN, 3 p.m.
ESPN begins their coverage of the 2010 Masters with the par 3 contest, but there will be plenty of Tiger Woods talk as the tournament gets underway for real Thursday at 4 p.m. on the network. — Jim Williams

BOLD PREDICTIONS

1. Penguins will lose in the first round of the NHL playoffs » A lot of top NHL teams are struggling down the stretch as the schedule grinds its way to a finish. But sometimes those problems mask deeper issues. The defending Stanley Cup champs entered the weekend 8-5-6 since Feb. 1. They have struggled all season to find wingers to play with star Evgeni Malkin and he’s clearly been nursing injuries the whole way. The Penguins are still the NHL’s deepest team at center with Malkin and Sidney Crosby. They still have an excellent, battle-tested goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury. But — as Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik has said repeatedly — there is something missing. Only a point up on the New Jersey Devils with one extra game played entering the weekend, Pittsburgh is looking at a No. 4 seed and a first-round series with the tough Ottawa Senators — a lock for the No. 5 seed. The Capitals may not even get a chance at revenge for last season’s Game 7 playoff loss. — Brian McNally

2. Greg Monroe will announce that he is entering the NBA draft » This may come as little surprise given the way Monroe played in the Big East Tournament. But Georgetown’s third-team All-America sophomore center will finally make it official, likely before the end of the week, having returned to campus after going home to New Orleans for Easter — a vacation that surely included finalization of the next steps with his family. Monroe will tell Georgetown head coach John Thompson III that while he likes school, he can’t pass up the chance to be a top 10 NBA draft pick, especially with labor uncertainty looming in 2011. His departure will be a massive blow for the Hoyas because despite another bumper recruiting class, they’ve been thin inside the paint since Vernon Macklin transferred to Florida two years ago. — Craig Stouffer

3. The NCAA Tournament will expand » Coaches everywhere will celebrate when the NCAA expands the tournament to 96 teams, increasing it by 32. This will no doubt save jobs as more coaches have a chance to claim they are a tournament team. This should be called the Seth Greenberg expansion, though this will deprive fans of hearing the Virginia Tech coach whine each selection day about not making the field. Of course, what will happen when teams can’t crack the field of 96? At least now they can claim they were close to being among the top 64. There’s no pride in being left out of a possible 96. The NCAA coaches rightly point out that the number of teams that make the postseason is lower when compared to other sports, be they professional or collegiate. But this still has a watered-down feel. Not that it matters; this will happen any day. Did we mention it will make more money? — John Keim

PLAYER TO WATCH

Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers, SP
This is a guy I’m sure Nats GM Mike Rizzo wished he could’ve brought with him to D.C. a few years ago. The former Diamondbacks phenom has struggled some this spring in ERA (7.15), but the other numbers are good (11 Ks, 5 BB in 11.1 innings). Known most for his mid-90s fastball and heterochromia (different color eyes), Scherzer is the type of pitcher with sound mechanics and he won’t be 26 until the end of July. Currently slated at the end of the Tigers’ rotation, his upside potential points to him as a future staff ace. He was traded to the Tigers in the offseason as part of a three-team deal that sent outfielder Curtis Granderson to the Yankees. Detroit may come out as the biggest winners from that transaction, getting future stars Scherzer and outfielder Austin Jackson out of the deal. — Leon Saffelle

FIVE UP & FIVE DOWN


UP

1. Evan Turner » He may be out of the NCAA Tournament, but Ohio State’s do-it-all point-forward won the AP player of the year.

2. Jeff Feagles » Apparently 44 is the new 20. The New York Giants re-signed the veteran punter for his 23rd year in the league.

3. North Carolina » The Tar Heels have had to deal with NIT jokes all week, but did anyone see Harrison Barnes in the McDonald’s All-American game?.

4. LeBron James » Can we even call it an MVP race if LeBron is lapping his competition? At least it will be interesting to see who comes in second.

5. Detroit Red Wings » The Red Wing are finally playing like everyone expected — which is scary for any of the top seeds in the West.


DOWN
1. Shaun Rogers » Authorities say a .45-caliber handgun was found in the nose tackle’s carry-on luggage. Didn’t he learn from Gil and Plax?

2. NCAA Tournament » Why mess with a good thing? Having 64 teams in the tournament has worked pretty well. There is no need to expand.

3. Yankees-Red Sox » Baseball kicks off the season on Sunday with New York-Boston. Can the rivalry already be sickening before the season even starts?

4. Memphis Grizzlies » Despite having a winning record, Memphis will miss the playoffs because they’re in the Western Conference.

5. Phillies pitching » The defending NL champs will start the season with Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero on the 15-day disabled list.

— Jeffrey Tomik