The Oregon Ducks are rolling into their last nonconference game of the season on Sunday with a ton of momentum. Ranked No. 9 in the country, the Ducks (11-1) are hosting the Weber State Wildcats (6-7) in Eugene, and all eyes are on Oregon’s elite defense to deliver yet again. If there’s one thing that defines Oregon this season, it’s their defense. Head coach Dana Altman has crafted a system that’s frustrating opponents and racking up wins. The Ducks are: Their recent win over Stanford was a perfect example of how their defense sets the tone. Oregon’s full-court press made life miserable for the Cardinal, who shot just 37.1% from the floor and 26.7% from deep. “For a long time

The North Carolina Tar Heels are back on the court Sunday night, hosting in-state rival Campbell for their last nonconference game of the season. After a huge win over UCLA, UNC is looking to keep the good vibes rolling and fine-tune their game before diving into ACC play. UNC (7-5) heads into this game with a fresh dose of confidence. They pulled off an impressive comeback win against then-No. 18 UCLA on Dec. 21, marking their first victory over a ranked opponent this season. It was a huge moment for a team that’s had its fair share of struggles in tight games. The Tar Heels have had an up-and-down start to the season, but they’re starting to find their rhythm,

No. 21 Purdue aims to apply the brakes on a two-game skid when it hosts Toledo on Sunday in a nonconference game in West Lafayette, Ind. The Boilermakers (8-4) are returning home after coming up short in a pair of neutral-court contests against Southeastern Conference opponents. They dropped a 70-66 decision to then-No. 17 Texas A&M in the Indy Classic on Dec. 14 and an 87-69 setback to then-No. 2 Auburn in the Battle in Birmingham on Dec. 21. Purdue head coach Matt Painter expressed both the value and challenges of playing a tough schedule early in the season. While these losses stung, they offered lessons for the Boilermakers. Purdue’s struggles highlight that the team is still working to transition

The Minnesota Timberwolves, buoyed by their dynamic duo of Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, are looking to build on a thrilling comeback victory when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in Minneapolis. Both teams are showing signs of growth and development, with the Timberwolves striving for consistency and the Spurs exploring fresh rotations to spark success. Minnesota (14-12) is beginning to see how Edwards and Randle can complement each other, both as scorers and leaders. Friday’s 113-112 road win over the Houston Rockets highlighted the potential of the duo. Edwards’ clutch 3-pointer sealed a remarkable 23-6 run to end the game, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Randle delivered 27 points in the win, while Edwards added