It was their eighth victory this season by five points or fewer, and their highest-ranked victim at home since beating No. Suddenly, a program that began the season in turmoil is on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. At one point the Ducks had six of seven games postponed by COVID-19, and that streak ended with an ugly loss to Washington State. But they followed with five straight wins, including one over fellow bubble-dweller Colorado, heading into an important game against No. That makes their game against Oregon on Thursday night crucial for helping out a shaky resume.

FILE - In this March 16, 2018, file photo, Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall reacts during the first half of a first-round NCAA college basketball tournament game against Marshall in San Diego. – Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall resigned Tuesday following an investigation into allegations of verbal and physical abuse, ending a tenure that soared to the Final Four and crashed on the eve of the upcoming season. “I remain grateful for my years spent at Wichita State. "Our student-athletes are our primary concern,” Wichita State athletic director Darron Boatright said. Wichita State launched an inquiry in early October, hiring St. Louis-based law firm Tueth Kenney to handle the probe.

16 Wichita State 65-54 on Saturday, beating a ranked team in a very difficult environment, Sampson thought back to this season’s origins. But holding Wichita State (15-3, 3-2 American) to 22 points below its season average and to just one double-digit scorer (Tyson Etienne with 10) was the Cougars’ biggest achievement. A Wichita State team looking to bounce back at home from its second loss of the season managed just 25 first-half points. “We’ve got to play like we were before we were ranked.”SWAT TEAMHouston had nine blocked shots to none for Wichita State. Wichita State: At South Florida on Tuesday.