As Pitt battles through a challenging stretch, the team’s morale remains resilient despite a four-game losing streak. The Panthers (12-6, 3-4 ACC) aim to turn things around Saturday when they visit Syracuse in a crucial ACC matchup. Pitt’s season took a downturn after a five-game winning streak was snapped by a humbling 29-point loss to No. 4 Duke on Jan. 7. Since then, the Panthers have suffered consecutive defeats to Louisville, Florida State, and Clemson, with their most recent setback being a narrow 78-75 overtime loss to Clemson. In that game, Ishmael Leggett led Pitt with 18 points, while Cameron Cohen delivered an efficient 15 points, going 7-for-7 from the field. Despite the loss, Leggett praised the team’s determination: Head

The Providence Friars are gearing up for an emotional Big East matchup on Saturday as former head coach Ed Cooley returns to Amica Mutual Pavilion with his Georgetown Hoyas. While tensions are high among fans, both teams are focused on gaining a critical conference win. After spending 12 seasons (2011-2023) at the helm of Providence, Cooley departed for Georgetown last year, a move that left a sour taste for many Friars fans. His first trip back last season was met with relentless boos, but Georgetown fell 84-76 in that contest. For Cooley, this return comes with added pressure, as the Hoyas (13-6, 4-4 Big East) aim to build momentum after a thrilling 64-63 victory over Villanova earlier this week. Georgetown

Michigan State remains the only unbeaten team in Big Ten play, riding an 11-game winning streak into its Saturday afternoon showdown against Rutgers at Madison Square Garden (MSG). The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) are coming off an 80-78 victory over then-No. 19 Illinois, a game in which Tre Holloman scored 17 points to help Michigan State survive a late push. Coach Tom Izzo praised Illinois as the best team in the conference, but the Spartans’ dominance so far tells a different story. Michigan State is playing with confidence, and its depth has been a major factor in their success. In the Illinois game, bench players Frankie Fidler and Coen Carr combined for 22 points, highlighting the Spartans’ versatility. Michigan

The Utah Hockey Club will face off against the Winnipeg Jets for the second time this week on Friday night in Winnipeg, looking to replicate their 5-2 home victory on Monday. Both teams are coming off wins, setting the stage for an exciting rematch. Utah enters the game on a three-game winning streak after shutting out the Minnesota Wild 4-0 on Thursday. Karel Vejmelka stopped all 26 shots in his first shutout of the season, while Barrett Hayton scored twice to continue his recent hot streak. Hayton and Keller were key contributors in Utah’s win against Winnipeg on Monday, each recording a goal and an assist. Utah sits four points behind Calgary for the final wild-card spot in the Western