Tennessee Carries No. 1 Ranking Into Battle With Miami With five nonconference games remaining, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes has positioned the Volunteers (8-0) as the new No. 1 team in the nation. The Volunteers will put their top ranking to the test Tuesday night against Miami in the prestigious Jimmy V Classic in New York City. Tennessee’s rise to the top spot comes after a dominant start to the season and back-to-back losses by previous No. 1 Kansas. The Volunteers have showcased depth, defense, and consistent scoring, making them one of the most formidable teams in college basketball. Tennessee’s Stellar Start and Chaz Lanier’s Impact The Volunteers have overwhelmed opponents in their first eight games, with their closest margin of

Cal Looks to Rebound Against High-Powered Cornell After suffering back-to-back losses, the California Golden Bears are eager to regain their early-season form as they host the Cornell Big Red on Tuesday in Berkeley, Calif. Golden Bears Seeking Discipline Cal (6-3) has stumbled after a promising start, dropping two close games against Missouri (98-93) and Stanford (91-89). The latter defeat marked Cal’s ACC debut, where they struggled defensively and lacked cohesion on offense, finishing with just five assists for the entire game. The Golden Bears made a late push against Stanford, trimming a 20-point deficit in the final six minutes, but it was too little, too late. Stay Ahead with Expert College Basketball Picks! Check out NCAAB expert picks for today’s

No. 15 Houston Refocuses for Troy After Commanding Victory No. 15 Houston returns to action on Tuesday as they host Troy, following an impressive 79-51 win over Butler that showcased the Cougars’ trademark defensive dominance and rebounding prowess. With the victory, Houston extended its homecourt winning streak to 26 games, the longest active streak in the nation. Houston’s Defense and Offense in Harmony The Cougars (5-3) delivered a balanced performance against Butler, holding the Bulldogs to just 28.3 percent shooting while winning the rebounding battle 41-22. Houston also displayed offensive firepower, shooting an impressive 66.7 percent in the second half and scoring 51 points after the break. L.J. Cryer led the way with 20 points, 18 of which came in

Wisconsin and Illinois Seek Redemption in Big Ten Play While it may not be a must-win game in mid-December, No. 20 Wisconsin and Illinois both have a pressing need to regroup and reestablish momentum as they meet Tuesday night in Champaign, Illinois. After suffering tough losses last week, this matchup carries weight for both teams looking to make early statements in Big Ten play. Wisconsin’s Turnover Troubles and Quest for Consistency Wisconsin (8-2, 0-1 Big Ten) comes off a difficult week, including a home loss to Michigan in its Big Ten opener and an 88-74 defeat at No. 5 Marquette. Despite a competitive first half against Marquette, the Badgers unraveled under pressure, committing seven turnovers during a critical nine-minute stretch.