As North Carolina prepares to host California on Wednesday, freshman Ian Jackson continues to dazzle, drawing high praise from head coach Hubert Davis. The Tar Heels (11-6, 4-1 ACC) have ridden Jackson’s scoring surge to win five of their past six games, climbing to within 1.5 games of first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings. Jackson has been a revelation for UNC, averaging 23.2 points over the past six games while shooting nearly 43 percent from beyond the arc. His offensive versatility, including his ability to attack the rim and hit from long range, has provided a much-needed spark for the Tar Heels. Jackson’s emergence has lightened the load on RJ Davis, North Carolina’s leading scorer at 17.8 points

Winless in Big 12 play, Cincinnati and Colorado will battle on Wednesday night in Boulder, Colo., with both teams eager to secure their first conference victory and end respective losing streaks. Cincinnati (10-5, 0-4) entered the Big 12 as a ranked team earlier this season but has since dropped out of the AP Top 25 following four consecutive losses. The Bearcats hit rock bottom offensively in a 57-40 home loss to then-No. 11 Kansas on Saturday, marking their lowest point total since 1993. Colorado (9-6, 0-4) also finds itself in a rut, having lost four straight games. Most recently, the Buffaloes fell 78-70 at home to then-No. 21 West Virginia despite a spirited comeback that fell short in the final

Virginia looks to break a three-game losing streak as it faces ACC newcomer SMU on Wednesday night in Charlottesville, Va. Both teams enter the contest with contrasting momentum, but Virginia has a chance to redeem itself after falling to SMU earlier this season. The Cavaliers (8-8, 1-4 ACC) have struggled to find their rhythm this season. They are winless in the new year, coming off a challenging West Coast trip that saw them lose to Cal and Stanford by a combined 37 points. This marks Virginia’s worst start to ACC play since the 2008-09 season under former coach Dave Leitao. Interim head coach Ron Sanchez acknowledged the team’s defensive shortcomings, stating, “It just comes down to having a little more

Longtime rivals Oklahoma and Texas are set to clash in their first Southeastern Conference (SEC) showdown on Wednesday night in Norman, Okla., both teams desperate to secure their first conference win. The move from the Big 12 to the SEC has been a steep uphill battle for both programs. Despite dominant performances during nonconference play, neither team has managed a victory in their first three SEC games. Both teams are led by experienced coaches working to navigate the challenges of SEC competition while developing young talent. The Oklahoma-Texas rivalry is one of the most storied in college sports, and their transition to the SEC adds an exciting new chapter. This matchup carries not just the weight of tradition but also