The ACC won their lopsided “challenge” with the Big 10 for the ninth straight year, grabbing eight of the eleven games. In Columbus, Ohio State didn’t make a field goal for over ten minutes in the second half, and North Carolina escaped with a road win, 66-55. Michigan State was one of few bright spots for the Big 10, thumping NC State, 81-58.

In the Big 12, Texas A&M moved to 7-0 on the year with a 76-63 win over Alabama and Kansas stayed perfect by blowing out FAU, 87-49. Mizzou was led by Stefhon Hannah’s 28 points, fell just short against the Razorbacks, 94-91. In Lubbock, Texas Tech needed a second-half comeback to overcome a thirteen-point deficit, but ultimately the Red Raiders topped TCU, 71-58.

Darren Collison is back for UCLA just in time for Sunday’s showdown against the Horns. The junior guard returned in an 83-60 shellacking of George Washington, finishing with fourteen points and five assists. He wasn’t the only injured Bruin back on the court, as Alfred Aboya was sporting garish yellow goggles to protect his shattered orbital bone. Any hopes that we’d see a depleted UCLA team on Saturday can now be trashed along with your Michael Olawakandi poster.

The Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series continues tonight, with one of the higher-profile matchups taking place in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats host Oregon (8 PM CST, ESPN2), while USC hosts the Sooners in Westwood (10 PM, FSN). The Big 12 starts play tonight holding a 1-0 lead in the challenge thanks a Jayhawk victory over Arizona on Sunday night.