Hoops on TV Week: Jan. 15-21

OK, we've got a new weekly feature here on The Painted Area called Hoops on TV Week - each week we'll have a look at highlights of the next seven days of basketball on TV.

We'll post heading into the weekend on Thursdays, and we'll be coming at it from the perspective of an NBA fan for the most part - college/high-school listings will focus on top prospects, as well as the biggest games. Suggestions are welcome.

All times Eastern. Our first week is a big one:

THURSDAY, JAN. 15
5 p.m.: NCAA - Virginia vs. North Carolina (1984), ESPN Classic
Anytime they show Jordan in college, it makes the list. First of three times this week.

8 p.m.: NBA - Suns vs. Celtics (1976 NBA Finals, Game 5), NBA TV
3-OT classic is considered the greatest game in NBA history by many. It's followed by an NBA's Greatest Games program about the game and a Vintage NBA episode about John Havlicek.

9 p.m.: H.S. - LeFlore (Ala.) vs. South Atlanta (Ga.), ESPN2
Two of the top 5 prospects in the class of 2009, DeMarcus Cousins and Derrick Favors (who just committed to Georgia Tech).

11 p.m.: NCAA - Arizona vs. UCLA, FSN
Longstanding Pac-10 rivalry includes top prospects Jordan Hill and Jrue Holiday, plus Darren Collison and Chase Budinger.

FRIDAY, JAN. 16
5 p.m.: NBA - Rockets vs. Magic (1995 NBA Finals, Game 1), ESPN Classic
Hakeem the Dream, at his peak, taps in the game-winner in an OT thriller.

8 p.m.: NBA - Hornets vs. Cavs, ESPN
10:30 p.m.: NBA - Magic vs. Lakers, ESPN
In terms of players and teams, you can't really ask for much more in a doubleheader than this.

SATURDAY, JAN. 17
1 p.m.: Euroleague - CSKA Moscow vs. Partizan, NBA TV
Euroleague game of the week on NBA TV includes defending champs CSKA.

1:30 p.m.: NCAA - Duke vs. Georgetown, CBS
Top prospect Greg Monroe takes on the Dukies.

3:30 p.m.: NCAA - Wake Forest vs. Clemson, ABC
Matchup of two Top 10 teams, plus potential Wake lottery picks Al-Farouq Aminu and Jeff Teague.

3:45 p.m.: NCAA - Arizona State vs. UCLA, CBS
Arizona State's James Harden is no. 3 on Chad Ford's Big Board.

4 p.m.: NBA - Celtics vs. Lakers (2008 NBA Finals, Game 4), ESPN Classic
Huge Celtics rally in the pivotal game of the '08 Finals.

6 p.m.: NCAA - Duke vs. North Carolina (1984 ACC Tournament), ESPN Classic
More Jordan at UNC. Actually a true classic of the rivalry, as Coach K was attempting to establish himself in his second season, against the no. 1-ranked Tar Heels.

SUNDAY, JAN. 18
7 p.m.: NBA - Heat vs. Thunder, NBA TV
If Steelers v. Ravens puts you to sleep, try D-Wade v. Durant instead.

MONDAY, JAN. 19
10 a.m.: H.S. - Putnam City (Okla.) vs. St. Anthony's (N.J.), ESPNU
One of the top prospects in the country, Xavier Henry (Memphis), goes against perennial power St. Anthony's and a very good prospect in Dominic Cheek (Villanova).

2 p.m.: H.S. - LeFlore (Ala.) vs. Lincoln (N.Y.), ESPNU
Another appearance for DeMarcus Cousins, as he goes against ballyhooed prospect Lance Stephenson. Is he worth the hype?

5:30 p.m.: NBA - Pistons vs. Grizzlies, TNT
8 p.m.: NBA - Suns vs. Celtics, TNT
10:30 p.m.: NBA - Cavs vs. Lakers, TNT
MLK Day tripleheader closes with LeBron v Kobe. Oh yeah.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20
5 p.m.: NCAA - Texas Western vs. Kentucky (1966 NCAA Championship), ESPN Classic
Historic NCAA Championship - first all-black starting five to win it all.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21
3 p.m.: NCAA - North Carolina vs. Clemson (1983), ESPN Classic
Money in college, one more time.

7:30 p.m.: NBA - Suns vs. Knicks, League Pass
D'AntoniFest '09 hits the Garden.

8 p.m.: NBA - Nets vs. Hornets, League Pass
Top young point guards CP3 and Devin Harris go at one another.

10:30 p.m.: NBA - Thunder vs. Warriors, League Pass
Two Thunder games in a week! With Durant, Westbrook and co. running and gunning with Nellie's mad men, I'm smelling a late-night League Pass sleeper right here.