Is there a better excuse than frigid windchills and the threat of frostbite to weasel out of any task that requires leaving the house and missing one of the final weeks of the NFL?
Your significant other wants you to watch — and pay attention during — “Bride Wars” or “Yes Man.” Excuse: “I doubt the car will start in these temperatures. Let’s watch the Eagles-Cardinals game instead.”
Your kids want you to build the world’s largest snowman. Excuse: “You’ll lose a finger if you stay out here longer than 15 minutes. It’s a medical fact. Let’s go inside. The Steelers and Ravens are about to kick off.”
Take advantage while you can. It’s the only positive part of these negative temperatures.
Friday
DON’T MISS THIS
Rangers at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m., CSN
The Rangers are the third-best team in the East. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist posted two shutouts in three starts before stopping 33 of 34 shots in a road victory Tuesday night over the Islanders.
APPOINTMENT TV
Hornets at Cavs, 7 p.m., ESPN
Two of the NBA’s brightest young stars meet in this showdown. The Cavs’ LeBron James put up a triple-double Tuesday against Memphis, while Hornets guard Chris Paul averages a double-double in points and assists.
Magic at Lakers,
9:30 p.m., ESPN
The game matches two of the top young centers, Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. The Magic is starting to look like a title contender, and Jameer Nelson is playing like an All-Star.
GET OFF THE COUCH
North Lawndale at Young, 7 p.m ., WWME-Ch. 23
Young boasts six Division I prospects, including Marcus Jordan, MJ’s son. North Lawndale is the defending Class 2A state champion and is led by 6-5 Jonathan Mills, who had 26 rebounds during a holiday tournament game in Florida.
Saturday
DON’T MISS THIS
Blackhawks at St. Louis, 7:30 p.m., WGN-Ch. 9
The Blackhawks realize they can’t let road ice slip them up too often. The game in St. Louis is the only one in a string of six not played at the United Center.
APPOINTMENT TV
Georgetown at Duke, 12:30 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
No. 3 Duke ends a streak of playing five ranked teams in six games with the No. 13 Hoyas. Both teams pride themselves on defense, holding opponents to about 60 points per game.
Illinois at Michigan State, 3 p.m., ESPN
The Illini are running into one of the nation’s hottest teams in the Spartans. Watch excellent guard play between No. 7 MSU’s Kalin Lucas and Illinois’ Chester Frazier.
Pittsburgh at Louisville, 5 p.m., ESPN
No. 1 Pittsburgh has just four tough road games remaining — and the one at No. 20 Louisville could be the most challenging. Both teams average more than 40 rebounds per game.
Spurs at Bulls, 7:30 p.m., CSN
The Spurs look like they’re getting it together. Despite returning key players from injury, the Bulls will be up against it, even though they found a way to beat Cleveland in overtime Thursday.
SET THE DVR
Notre Dame at Syracuse, 11 a.m., ESPN
The Carrier Dome is going to be as comfortable as a roadside motel for the Irish, who just lost in overtime at Louisville’s hostile arena. Some defense by No. 12 Notre Dame would be useful against No. 8 Syracuse, which shoots about 51 percent from the floor.
Butler at UIC, 1 p.m., ESPN2
No. 17 Butler’s lone loss came on the road at Ohio State. That could be good news for the Flames, who have a strong home record and are trying to turn things around after a rocky start to Horizon League play.
Ohio State at Michigan, 7 p.m., BTN
The Buckeyes’ conference start included four of six games on the road. No. 25 Michigan lost by 15 Thursday at Illinois.
PICTURE-IN=-PICTURE
East-West Shrine Game, 3 p.m., ESPN2
Tune in to watch local products. Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton will play for the East. Chicago native Jason Williams, a linebacker from Western Illinois, will play for the West.
Miami at North Carolina, 8 p.m., ESPN
Everyone wondered if North Carolina would win every game this season. Now the No. 5 Tar Heels are asked if they even will win their conference after starting 0-2 in the ACC.
Sunday
DON’T MISS THIS
Ravens at Steelers , AFC championship, 5:30 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
Get the first-aid kits ready. This should be a skull-crushing game between two of the NFL’s most physical defenses. The Ravens lost twice narrowly to the Steelers this season, but the teams never have met for a conference title.
APPOINTMENT TV
Eagles at Cardinals, NFC championship,
2 p.m., WFLD-Ch. 32
Neither team is supposed to be here, but Arizona is the bigger surprise. The Eagles have an experience edge heading to their fifth NFC championship game in the Reid-McNabb era.
SET THE DVR
Minnesota at Northwestern, 1 p.m., BTN
The Gophers are playing tenacious defense. That’s not good news for Northwestern, which has had trouble cracking 60 points in conference play.
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sryan@tribune.com
