The No. 15 Oregon Ducks make their first journey east as members of the Big Ten when they face Ohio State in Columbus on Thursday night. The game marks a significant milestone for Oregon, as they adapt to life in the Midwest-heavy conference and prepare for the challenges of physical Big Ten basketball. Oregon (13-2, 2-2) is navigating its inaugural Big Ten season with a blend of optimism and adaptation. After starting conference play against familiar foes from the Pac-12, the Ducks now face the unfamiliar environment of a true road game in Big Ten territory. Head coach Dana Altman, who previously faced Ohio State during his tenure at Creighton, sees the experience as an opportunity for growth: Oregon comes

Providence and Butler, two teams struggling to find their footing in Big East play, meet Wednesday night in Providence, R.I., in a pivotal matchup. The Friars aim to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to a top-ranked opponent, while the Bulldogs search for their first conference win in nearly a month. The Friars (7-8, 1-3) enter the game on a four-game losing streak, but their most recent outing against then-No. 11 UConn showed glimpses of promise. Providence held a 12-point halftime lead before falling 87-84 in a tightly contested matchup. Jayden Pierre shined in the loss, scoring a career-high 24 points to lead the Friars. His performance was complemented by Wesley Cardet Jr., who added 18 points, and freshmen Ryan

The Virginia Cavaliers embark on their first Atlantic Coast Conference road trip to the West Coast, facing Cal in Berkeley on Wednesday night. This historic matchup pits a Cavaliers team seeking its first true road win of the season against a Golden Bears squad chasing its inaugural ACC victory. Virginia (8-6, 1-2) enters the contest after splitting home games last week, narrowly defeating NC State 70-67 before falling to Louisville 70-50. The team’s road struggles have been evident this season, including a 63-51 loss at SMU to open ACC play. Coach Ron Sanchez sees the cross-country journey as an opportunity for his team to bond and build cohesion. Sophomore Elijah Saunders has been a bright spot for the Cavaliers, contributing

As Stanford continues to adapt to life in the Atlantic Coast Conference, they host Virginia Tech in a matchup where both teams aim to even their conference records at 2-2. The clash at Maples Pavilion on Wednesday night is a chance for both squads to exceed low preseason expectations and assert themselves in ACC play. Stanford, one of the ACC’s newest members after departing the Pac-12, has shown flashes of potential under first-year head coach Kyle Smith. The Cardinal opened conference play with an 89-81 win over fellow ACC newcomer Cal. However, back-to-back road losses to established ACC programs Clemson and Pittsburgh have highlighted the challenges of competing in their new league. Coach Kyle Smith is optimistic about Stanford’s journey