NCAAB January 25, 2026

The Pacific Northwest rivalry takes center stage as the Oregon Ducks travel to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies in a Big Ten showdown. This matchup features two programs trending in opposite directions, with Oregon limping into the weekend at 8-11 overall after a brutal loss to Michigan State, while Washington has clawed their way to 10-9 and looks like a team finally finding its footing under Danny Sprinkle's leadership. The 8.5-point spread indicates Vegas expects Washington to handle business at home, and their recent performances suggest that's a reasonable expectation.

Oregon's season has been a massive disappointment. The Ducks entered the year with moderate expectations but have failed to gain any traction in conference play. Their last outing against Michigan State was particularly ugly, falling 68-52 in a game that was never competitive. That kind of performance heading into a rivalry game is concerning, especially against a Washington team that has something to prove. The Huskies have their own issues, falling 76-66 to Nebraska in their most recent contest, but they've shown more fight and resilience than Oregon has all season.

Historical Context Favors Oregon, But This Season Is Different

Here's where it gets interesting: Oregon has dominated this series recently, winning eight of the last 10 meetings against Washington. The Ducks won the last matchup 80-73 in overtime, demonstrating their ability to find ways to win close games against the Huskies. But that historical edge might not matter this season given how differently these programs have performed. Oregon's 8-11 record is their worst start in recent memory, and the confidence that typically comes with owning a rivalry has evaporated.

Washington needs this win badly to keep their postseason hopes alive. At 10-9, they're on the bubble of making any kind of tournament, and a home loss to a struggling Oregon team would be devastating. The Huskies have shown they can compete when they execute defensively and control the tempo. Alaska Airlines Arena will be rocking for this rivalry game, and home court advantage should play a significant role in the outcome. The 146.5 total is relatively low, suggesting a grind-it-out affair where defense and execution matter more than star power.

The Bottom Line

This is a rivalry game between two struggling Big Ten programs looking to right the ship. Washington has the home court advantage and slightly better overall record, which explains the 8.5-point spread. However, Oregon's historical dominance in this series gives them a puncher's chance. The low total of 146.5 suggests this will be a defensive battle where every possession matters. Washington's desperation for a quality win at home might be the difference-maker in what should be a hard-fought conference clash.

The Big 12 grind continues as Bob Huggins' West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Manhattan to face Jerome Tang's Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. This is a critical conference clash for both programs as they jockey for positioning in a brutally competitive Big 12 race. Kansas State is coming off a narrow three-point home victory over Utah, their first conference win at 1-5 in Big 12 play, while the Mountaineers are looking to build momentum in a season that has had its share of ups and downs.

Kansas State's situation is concerning despite being installed as the home favorite. The Wildcats are dealing with significant injury issues that have derailed their season. Leading scorer and most reliable three-point shooter Abdi Bashir is out for the foreseeable future, and key contributors Khamari McGriff and Elias Rapieque may miss this game as well. When you're already struggling at 1-5 in conference play, losing your best offensive players makes an uphill climb feel like scaling Everest. The Wildcats barely squeaked by Utah at home, and that performance against a Big 12 bottom-feeder was hardly inspiring.

West Virginia Looks to Exploit Depleted K-State Roster

The Mountaineers have the opportunity to take advantage of a Kansas State team that's been decimated by injuries. With Bashir out and potentially two other starters missing, West Virginia's depth and physicality should be advantages in this matchup. Bob Huggins' teams are always tough, physical, and well-prepared for Big 12 competition. They don't beat themselves, and against a short-handed Kansas State squad, that disciplined approach could be the difference.

Bramlage Coliseum can be a difficult place to play when Kansas State is rolling, but with the Wildcats struggling at 1-5 in conference and missing key players, the home court advantage might be somewhat neutralized. West Virginia's ability to control tempo and make this an ugly, grinding affair plays right into their strength. The Mountaineers thrive in games where points are at a premium, and Kansas State's offensive struggles this season suggest this could be exactly that kind of contest.

The Bottom Line

This Big 12 matchup features a Kansas State team installed as home favorites despite significant injury concerns. The Wildcats are without their leading scorer Abdi Bashir and may be missing two additional contributors. Their 1-5 conference record and narrow three-point win over Utah at home doesn't inspire confidence. West Virginia has the depth and physicality to exploit a depleted K-State roster. The Mountaineers' disciplined, grinding style could be particularly effective against a team missing its primary scoring options. Home court and the K-State faithful might keep this close, but the injury situation makes this a fascinating handicapping puzzle.