Another wild week awaits area hoops fans. The madcap, non-stop college hoops action of Thursday and Friday represents the pinnacle of sports viewing for many fans. Sneaking out of work, bracket in hand, for an extra hour of lunch is an annual ritual for many a weary office drone. At this point next week, our brackets will be hopelessly crumbled, highlighted and marked with cryptic marginalia. Right now, however, hope springs eternal. Don't forget to join the DCist Reader-Staff Pool to take part in all the madness. Our suggestions for this week's sports viewing are below. As always, feel free to add your own in the comments.

TUESDAY
The big story leading up to D.C. United's home opener? For once, the pitch at RFK Stadium seems like a welcome reprieve after the shoddy conditions United has endured during their preseason trevails. With former stadium-mates the Nationals out of the picture, RFK's field is now free of its unkempt and sometimes dangerous infield seams. United will need to utilize these conditions to open up their attack against Jamaican side Harbour View F.C. After last week's draw, United will need a win to advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. Captain Jaime Moreno's injured hamstring will open up a spot in the starting 11 for 5'4" Argentinean Franco Niell. Buy your tickets here or, if necessary, watch at home. 7:30 p.m., FSC.

Does the NIT count as March Madness? Maryland fans will try and convince themselves it does when they watch the Terps take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. 9:30 p.m., ESPN.

The Washington Nationals! The Detroit Tigers! It's the Grapefruit League on ESPN! The Entertaining and Sports Programming Network will take a break from its college hoops coverage to give Washington's baseball-starved fans a glimpse Da Meathook, the Boone Bros., et al. 1:05 p.m., ESPN.

WEDNESDAY
The Verizon Center retains its status as one of the better hoops venues in the nation, as it will once again host NCAA tournament games on Thursday and Saturday. Although tickets are sold out for all the days' games, fans can catch a preview of the action at Wednesday's open practice. Georgia, Baylor, Xavier, Purdue, Duke, West Virginia, Belmont, and Arizona will take turns running drills throughout the day. Admission as free, and the floor time schedule is here.

Photo by michael starghill

THURSDAY
The George Mason Patriots will try and replicate 2006's magical run. Standing in their way is Notre Dame, a strong 5-seed. Folarin Campbell and Will Thomas could provide the Patriots with the veteran leadership necessary to weather the storm of one of the Big East's better teams. Only 15 percent of users on CBS Sportsline's popular online bracketing system have Mason advancing. Seems like long odds for the Fairfax-based squad, but stranger things have happened, right? 9:50 p.m., CBS.

Though no D.C. area teams will be in attendance, the Verizon Center will be hosting a slew of first and second round NCAA Tournament matches. Thursday's action features Xavier (3) against Georgia (14) at 12:20 p.m., Purdue (6) against Baylor (11) at 2:50 p.m., Duke (2) against Belmont (15) at 7:10 p.m., and West Virginia (7) against Arizona (10) at 9:40 p.m. Tickets are sold out, though alternate means of ticket acquisition are out there.

FRIDAY
The American University Eagles' inspiring run to the NCAA Tournament rewarded them with a first-round matchup against hyper-athletic 2-seed Tennessee. The Eagles will have their hands full, as the Volunteers accumulated the #1 RPI in the nation and are seen by many to have the quality of a 1-seed. The teams will kick off the day's action at 12:15 p.m., CBS.

As a 2-seed, the Georgetown University Hoyas find themselves in a more enviable spot than their NW D.C. brethren. They'll face the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers, winners of the America East tournament. The Retrievers have already knocked off American and George Washington this year, but we think that they'll be biting off more than they can chew against the Hoyas. 2:55 p.m., CBS.

SATURDAY
A pair of second round matchups held at the Verizon center will admit two NCAA men's hoops teams to the Sweet Sixteen. As with Thursday's action, tickets are sold out. See Thursday's links for options for the desperate.

In the women's bracket, a pair of area teams will join the same Big Dance that their male counterparts missed out on. On Saturday, the George Washington Colonials (6) will take on Auburn (11). Though traditionally a strong conference, the SEC will send only four teams to the tournament, while the Colonials' A10 will send a respectable three.

SUNDAY
Should the Hoyas take care of business on Friday, they'll face either Gonzaga (7) or Davidson (10) on Sunday. After spending much of the last decade in the limelight as the Cinderella or the Adam Morrisson-led powerhouse, Gonzaga has flown under the radar this season and sits comfortably as a middle seed. Davidson has one of the nation's most prolific scorers in guard Stephon Curry (25.1 ppg). Time TBD, CBS.

The University of Maryland Lady Terrapins' fantastic season (30-3, 13-1) earned them a coveted 1-seed in the national tournament. The Terps will play the Coppin State Eagles in the first round at College Park. 2:30 p.m., ESPN.

The Washington Wizards return home from a 2-game stint in Florida to face the beasts of the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons. Though the Boston Celtics have been stealing the headlines all season, the Pistons have put together one of their more dominating seasons in recent years. Tickets are available here. 8 p.m., ESPN.