California will aim to keep its newfound ACC momentum alive when it hosts Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. Both teams seek to solidify their conference footing, but their paths have diverged recently. The Golden Bears (8-7, 1-3 ACC) are coming off a statement 75-61 victory over Virginia on Wednesday, marking their first ACC win since joining the conference. The win showcased Cal’s defensive adjustments, as it limited Virginia to 32.8 percent shooting while dominating the glass with a 40-33 rebounding advantage. Head coach Mark Madsen highlighted the significance of the win for the program’s future:”This is the opening of a new chapter. We are going to be a powerhouse in the ACC,” Madsen said. A key contributor

No. 12 Houston will bring its top-ranked defense to Manhattan, Kan., on Saturday evening, presenting a daunting challenge for Kansas State. The Cougars (11-3, 3-0 Big 12) are riding a wave of defensive dominance, while the Wildcats (7-7, 1-2) are searching for answers on offense. The Cougars lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 54.0 points per game, a full three points better than the second-ranked team, Tennessee. This defensive prowess has fueled their seven-game streak of holding opponents to 55 points or fewer, their best since 1948-49. Houston forced 19 turnovers in a commanding 65-46 win over TCU on Monday, converting them into 16 points. Head coach Kelvin Sampson praised the defensive effort but emphasized the need for

For the first time since 1971, SMU will host Georgia Tech, aiming to return to its winning ways in Saturday’s ACC matchup. Both teams are looking to bounce back after recent setbacks, with SMU trying to snap a two-game losing streak and Georgia Tech looking to recover from a loss at Syracuse. The Mustangs (11-4, 2-2 ACC) started conference play strong, notching wins over Virginia and Boston College. However, they hit a rough patch with losses to Duke and North Carolina, including an 82-67 defeat in Chapel Hill on Tuesday. In that game, SMU struggled offensively, shooting just 33.3 percent from the field and converting only 4 of 18 attempts from beyond the arc. Despite these struggles, Chuck Harris provided

The New York Islanders are gearing up to reignite their playoff hopes as they face the Utah Hockey Club (HC) on Saturday night in Salt Lake City. Both teams are battling to stay in the playoff race, making this matchup a potential turning point in their seasons. The Islanders began their season on a shaky note, surrendering a third-period lead in their opener against Utah and falling 5-4 in overtime. This early misstep foreshadowed an inconsistent first half for the team, marked by missed opportunities and difficulty stringing together consecutive wins. However, New York’s recent performances suggest a turnaround might be underway. The Islanders reached the midpoint of their season with an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights