Northern Illinois — ranked in the coaches poll and in the BCS standings — will play in the MAC championship game tonight, with a chance to become the first NIU team to win 11 games. The Bulls and Blackhawks also are in action tonight.
↵↵6 p.m., ESPN2: College football, MAC championship game, No. 24 Northern Illinois vs. Miami (Ohio). The Huskies are also trying to improve their bowl positioning. If we had a playoff, they might even have a shot at a national title.
↵6:30 p.m., Comcast 100: AHL, Wolves at Monsters.
↵7 p.m., CSN Chicago: NBA, Bulls at Celtics. The Bulls try to recover from their weak effort on Wednesday. Playing in Boston doesn’t make it any easier. (The game will also be available nationally on ESPN.)
↵7:30 p.m., CSN Chicago Plus (check cable listing for the channel on your system): NHL, Canucks at Blackhawks.
↵7:30 p.m., ESPNU: College basketball, St. Joseph’s at No. 12 Villanova.
↵9:30 p.m., ESPN2: NBA, Mavericks at Jazz.
↵11 p.m., CSN Chicago: College basketball, Big 12/PAC 10 Hardwood Series, No. 5 Kansas State at Washington State. This game begins at 10 p.m. and will be joined in progress.