Friday's Big Weekend Preview

Be honest. How much work, real, actual, productive work have you gotten done this last couple days with the NCAA Tournament kicking off? We get it, it's hard to concentrate on assignments or spreadsheets or client orders when there's just so much good basketball to be watched and bracket pools to monitor. It's why every year all those stories pop up about office productivity going down like a 5 losing to a 12 (looking at you, Wichita State). 

Oh well, just make sure to work harder come Monday. Right now though – too late. It's the weekend, a St. Patrick's day weekend, no less. If you live in the Midwest or East Coast,  you've got it made: Great weather, and great sports.

Sp enjoy the sunshine, then hit the town with your buddies, especially for all us poor saps shaking off our wet umbrellas and trudging around in North Face gear. Just make sure you're watching the right stuff. 

And don't worry, it's not rude to raise a stink if the bar TV's are showing the NIT.  

St. Paddy's Day Madness

When: All day

TV: CBS and Turner Family of Networks

Why You Should Watch: Duh, it's the NCAA tournament, with the Sweet 16 on the line no less. This is when upsets happen, when Cinderella's get fitted for slippers, when brackets are busted. After two days of having to hide games from your boss as you stream it on your computer, or sneak a peak on your iPhone, you're now free to hit a bar or fire-up the 50-inch in your living room and enjoy these games without distraction. 

You've got Kentucky playing Iowa State; Syracuse taking on Kansas State; Indiana playing those perennial upsetters VCU; a Wisconsin/Vandy Showdown. Take your pick, all have huge potential to be epic. 

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Bring on Bristol

When: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. (ET)

TV: Fox

Why You Should Watch: Let me reach out to the casual, don't-usually-watch-NASCAR fans right now. Race fans need no justification, they already know why Bristol is a can't-miss event. 

They call this place a "bull ring," though the best way to describe this Tennessee track is the Roman Coliseum of horsepower. From the outside, it's reminiscent of any SEC football stadium, but the inside packs a half-mile track that will be filled with 43 cars – each packing twice as much power as a Ferrari F430 – jockeying and bumping and banging for position. 

It's insanely loud, it's insanely fast (a half mile track; you ran longer in high school PE), and full of crashing. If you need a basketball break, flip over to this for a few laps. 

NHL: Penguins vs. Flyers

When: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBC

Why You Should Watch: Because the man you see above has returned, and this is your best chance to see him. After missing 40 games due to concussion problems, the most electrifying, most well-known superstar in the sport will be playing their in-state rival on national TV. Welcome back, Sidney Crosby. 

Having Crosby back is huge for the NHL, and it works perfectly that their No. 1 player recognition-wise will be back on a national stage so soon. It should be exciting to see what he can do now that he's healthy. 

NBA: Magic vs. Heat

When: Sunday, 7 p.m. (ET)

TV: ESPN

Why You Should Watch: If you had enough of college boys machine-gunning up ill-advised 3-pointers, switch over an watch a rematch of a great, overtime NBA game from earlier in the week. Oh, plus there's just a tad bit of drama and intrigue with Dwight Howard right now. 

When these two teams met on Mar. 13, the Magic prevailed 104-98 after regulation couldn't decide it. Expect another battle when four of the leagues biggest stars – the Heat's trio and Mr. Wishy-Washy on trades – hit the hardwood. 

Recover with Even More Madness

When: All Day

TV: CBS and Turner Family of Networks 

Why You Should Watch: Because you probably took it too hard for St. Patty's day, and there's no better recovery than watching a bunch of Sweet 16 berths get decided. Oh, you didn't take it too hard and feel just fine? Well there's no better way to spend a Sunday than watching a bunch of Sweet 16 berths get decided. 

Yup, works both ways.

Enjoy the weekend, and best of luck in your bracket pools.