In the AP poll, UC only trails top-ranked Kansas and No. 6 Iowa State among Big 12 teams. Behind the Bearcats are No. 15 Baylor and No. 17 Houston. Also receiving votes were Arizona State, West Virginia, BYU and Texas Tech.

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bearcats (6-0) hit the road again this week for a matchup against Villanova (4-4) at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1 Tuesday night. The Wildcats have struggled mightily to start the season, but it is still the best team Cincinnati's played yet and the best team they'll have played on the road before conference play.

For a second-straight week, the Cincinnati Bearcats have seen a modest rise in the Associated Press' Top 25, while the Xavier Musketeers fell out after their first loss of the season.

Cincinnati Bearcats basketball hits the road again for another non-conference game vs. Villanova Tuesday in Philadelphia. Here are three keys for UC.