Villanova became the No. 1 team in the nation earlier this week, but coach Jay Wright hopes his team can somehow rise to an even higher level. The Wildcats continue to roll over their opponents, both within the Philadelphia area and across the country, and those runs will be on the line Wednesday against host Temple.

No. 10 Texas A&M takes on a second straight overmatched opponent when it hosts Savannah State on Wednesday. It’s the second of four straight home games for the Aggies leading into SEC play.

Andy Kennedy is in his 13th season as coach of Ole Miss, but he is in the midst of unfamiliar territory as the struggling Rebels prepare to host Sam Houston State on Wednesday. Ole Miss lost at Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, marking the first time in Kennedy’s tenure the Rebels have dropped three non-conference games in a row, and while the competition has been a challenge that does not mean Kennedy or his players are satisfied with falling short.

Illinois looks to bounce back from a disappointing two-week stretch when it hosts Longwood on Wednesday. The Fighting Illini have dropped three of their first four games in the month of December, including an 89-82 loss to UNLV on Saturday when they matched a school record with 36 fouls, and hope to turn their fortunes around in their first-ever meeting with the Lancers.

Wisconsin has had to deal with a very difficult schedule to open the season, and now it faces injury problems as dangerous Western Kentucky pays a visit on Wednesday night. The Badgers have managed just two victories in their last nine games after winning a pair to start the season and will be without two key players in the rotation for the near future.

SMU looks to bounce back from a tough road loss to nationally ranked TCU when it hosts New Orleans on Wednesday in a non-conference matchup. The Mustangs fell by 11 to the then-20th-ranked Horned Frogs while the Privateers are coming off a blowout win over NAIA foe Williams Baptist and are looking for their first victory over a Division I opponent.

Houston aims for its eighth straight victory – and second over an SEC opponent this month – when it visits LSU on Wednesday. Houston is off to its best start since beginning the 2007-08 season with an 11-1 record. 

Keenan Evans' recent individual honor is reflective of the overall play of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders look to continue building momentum after an eight-day break for finals when struggling Kennesaw State visits on Wednesday.

The early-season schedule has mainly been manageable for 2017 national semifinalist Oregon, but things are ramping up the rest of the week. Up next for the Ducks are a pair of 8-2 teams ranked in the top 66 of the NCAA RPI, beginning with Wednesday night’s home game against in-state rival Portland State.