As college football fans gear up for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., the stage is set for an exciting clash between the bowl-streaking Minnesota Golden Gophers and the resurgent Virginia Tech Hokies. Both teams bring compelling narratives, with Minnesota aiming to extend its nation-leading bowl winning streak and Virginia Tech seeking to build momentum for 2025. The Golden Gophers (7-5) closed the regular season with an impressive run, winning five of their last seven games, including a dominant 24-7 victory over Wisconsin in their finale. Under head coach P.J. Fleck, Minnesota has demonstrated a unique ability to rise to the occasion in bowl games, boasting seven consecutive postseason wins since 2015. Fleck emphasizes a dual-purpose approach to bowl

Boston College will host Miami in a pivotal ACC matchup on Wednesday in Chestnut Hill, Mass., as both teams look to regain traction in conference play. The game marks a significant turning point for Miami, with longtime assistant coach Bill Courtney stepping in as interim head coach following the resignation of veteran Jim Larranaga. The Hurricanes (4-8, 0-1 ACC) are enduring their worst start in over three decades, a challenge now resting on Courtney’s shoulders. With 14 years under Larranaga, Courtney aims to stabilize a team that has lost eight of its past nine games. Miami’s leading scorer, Nijel Pack (13.9 points per game), has missed the past two games due to injury. His absence has left a noticeable void

The New Year begins with a pivotal Big East Conference matchup as Villanova and Butler aim to recover from recent struggles. Set for Wednesday in Indianapolis, both teams see this game as an opportunity to steer their seasons back on track. Villanova (8-5, 1-1) enters the contest after an 86-79 loss at Creighton on Dec. 21. Despite a strong offensive showing, defensive lapses allowed Creighton to shoot an astounding 56% from beyond the arc. Head coach Kyle Neptune emphasized the need for defensive improvement: The Wildcats have a potent offense, averaging 79.1 points per game, led by senior forward Eric Dixon. Dixon is not only the team’s top scorer but also leads all Division I players with an impressive 25.8

The Toronto Raptors aim to halt their historic 11-game skid as they host a restructured Brooklyn Nets team on Wednesday night. Both teams come into the matchup looking for answers, but with different narratives driving their seasons. The Nets made a bold move on Sunday, trading Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, rookie Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks. While this trade is a step toward building a future core, it leaves the team needing immediate adjustments. Finney-Smith and Milton played crucial roles in Brooklyn’s 101-94 win over Toronto on Dec. 19, combining for 20 points. Their absence leaves an opening for players like Noah Clowney to step up. Clowney,