Week Ahead

THURSDAY 6/12
U.S. Open
The second major of 2008 is also the second tournament at Torrey Pines this year. The California public course is also the home of the Buick Invitational, which was held in January. The winner then? Tiger Woods , who now is playing in his first tournament since having knee surgery in April.
Thursday-Friday, ESPN 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., NBC 3 p.m.; Saturday, NBC 4 p.m.; Sunday, NBC 3 p.m.

NHL Awards Ceremony
Don't be shocked if Alexander Ovechkin takes home the Hart Trophy. Last week NHL.com started selling T-shirts heralding the Capitals winger as the league's MVP. The link was quickly pulled, and the league issued a statement saying that shirts have been prepared for all possible outcomes. Whatever. Our money's still on Ovechkin.
Versus 7 p.m.

SATURDAY 6/14
Detroit Shock at Phoenix Mercury
Thanks to the up-tempo style preached by coach Corey Gaines (a Paul Westhead disciple), the Mercury is the WNBA 's best offensive team. ( Phoenix averages 86.5 ppg and has the league's top two scorers, Cappie Pondexter (left) and Diana Taurasi .) And thanks to the up-tempo style preached by Gaines, the Mercury is the WNBA 's worst defensive team. ( Phoenix allows 88.8 ppg.) The defending champs will have their hands full with Detroit , which is off to a 7--2 start.
ABC 3:30 p.m.

24 Hours of Le Mans
In his Le Mans debut last year, Jacques Villeneuve was part of a Peugeot team that put in 22 hours before mechanical problems knocked it out. But Villeneuve , 37, is back—he's vowed to race Le Mans until he wins. If he does, he'll become the second driver, after Graham Hill , to claim the Indy 500 (1995), the F/1 title ('97) and the sport's most demanding endurance test.
Speed Channel 8:30 a.m.

SUNDAY 6/15
2010 World Cup Qualifying: Barbados at U.S.
The Americans had a mediocre two weeks leading up to the start of qualifying, losing warmups to England and Spain before playing world No. 1 Argentina to a draw on Sunday. But Barbados should be a friendlier foe: The tiny island nation has never scored against the Yanks, let alone beaten them.
ESPN2 5 p.m.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY 6/14
College World Series
For the first time since 2005, someone other than Oregon State will lift the trophy in Omaha . The Beavers failed to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament after going 28--24. Their absence is good news for the team they beat in each of the last two seasons, North Carolina . The 51--12 Tar Heels are led by a pair of sophomore All-Americas: outfielder Tim Fedroff (left), who hit .398, and first baseman Dustin Ackley (right), who hit .408 and went 3 for 5 on Sunday as Carolina won its Super Regional matchup with Coastal Carolina .
ESPN 2 p.m.