An extremely inexperienced Pittsburgh team posted its second consecutive victory on Tuesday, which might be a cause for celebration considering the Panthers returned just three career starts from last season, but second-year coach Kevin Stallings knows his team needs to play better once ACC action begins. Stallings will look for improvement when Pitt plays the third of nine consecutive contests in Pittsburgh on Friday against cross-town rival Duquesne in the City Game at PPG Paints Arena.

Purdue is quickly proving its two-game slide at the start of the Battle 4 Atlantis last weekend was little more than a hiccup, while Maryland's young roster is still trying to learn how to win close games. Coming off a pair of victories against powerhouse programs, the Boilermakers attempt to carry over their recent success into Friday's road matchup against the Terrapins in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Georgia Tech feels like its team is coming together, with the return of Tadric Jackson from suspension and Josh Okogie drawing near to the end of his time away, entering Friday’s home contest with Grambling State after. Jackson’s driving layup beat the buzzer and defeated Northwestern 52-51 on Tuesday as Georgia Tech won its fourth consecutive game since losing its opener to UCLA in China.

No. 11 North Carolina made a statement last time out and hopes to build off that effort when it takes on state rival Davidson at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Friday night. The Tar Heels were humbled by Michigan State while scoring just 45 points Sunday, but rebounded with a complete performance in an 86-71 victory over Michigan on Wednesday as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Northwestern looks to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season when it opens up Big Ten play at home against Illinois on Friday. The Wildcats began the new campaign in the Top 25 for the first time in program history but proceeded to drop three of their first seven games, including a 52-51 setback to Georgia Tech on a buzzer-beater in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Tuesday, to fall out of the rankings and they hope to end a two-game slide in the rivalry with the Fighting Illini.

Oregon’s undefeated start hit a speed bump last weekend with two losses in three games at the PK80 Invitational. The Ducks will now try to get back on track at Matthew Knight Arena – where they boast the nation’s longest current home win streak – beginning with Friday night’s game against Boise State. 

No. 23 Creighton already owns victories over two top-25 ranked teams this season. The Bluejays will try to add another scalp to what is already shaping up to be an impressive NCAA Tournament resume when they visit 14th-ranked Gonzaga on Friday night.