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The Breakfast Buffet: Northwestern, UConn’s long-term potential, Wisconsin

Who’s hungry for college basketball?

Here’s today’s installment of “The Breakfast Buffet”, a daily column that can be found here every single morning getting you caught up to date on everything that’s happened from the day/night before and everything that’s going to happen in the next 24 hours.

Mangia!

Things To Sample

Northwestern reiterates its potential against Purdue
The Wildcats have never been to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons and even though they’re a long ways away from accomplishing that goal, Friday night’s win over Purdue — who’s ranked FIRST in the ROTHSTEIN 45 — is an incredible step towards that feat. It was Northwestern’s second straight win over the Boilers in Evanston. The 92-88 overtime triumph featured a special performance from the Wildcats’ maestro Boo Buie. The fifth-year senior was surgical in his dissection of the Boilers and tallied 31 points, nine assists, and zero turnovers in the win. Buie is firmly in the discussion regarding the best lead guards in the sport.

UConn’s long-term potential is real
Dan Hurley’s squad came up four points short against Kansas on Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse, but it played well enough to win without playing anywhere near its best. UConn also didn’t have the services of five-star freshman Stephon Castle (14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists), who has missed the last couple of weeks with a knee injury. Two of UConn’s primary options — Donovan Clingan and Cam Spencer — combined to shoot just 5-20 from the field and the Huskies still had a chance to win the game in the final minute. They also shot just 8-15 from the free throw line. You’re going to want no part of this team when they’re fully healthy and have things clicking at a high level.

“Murderers’ Row” begins for Wisconsin
You think you have a tough week ahead? Talk to the Badgers. Wisconsin will host in-state rival Marquette today at the Kohl Center and then head to Michigan State on Tuesday to open Big Ten play. Following those two heavyweight showdowns, Greg Gard’s squad — who has won four games in a row after a 1-2 start — will travel to Tucson to face Arizona next Saturday. All three of this team’s upcoming opponents — Marquette, Michigan State, and Arizona — are ranked in the Top 26 of the ROTHSTEIN 45. Arizona and Marquette are ranked second and fourth respectively.

On The Side

  • UCLA’s Adem Bona has 37 made field goals this season and 23 fouls. The Bruins can’t be the team that they hope to be unless the 6-10 Bona — who’s averaging 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks — can stay on the floor for longer stretches. He’s currently only averaging 24.9 minutes.
  • Illinois will begin a three-game swing away from Champaign today against Rutgers in Piscataway. The Illini will then play Florida Atlantic on Tuesday at MSG in the Jimmy V Classic and Tennessee next Saturday in Knoxville.
  • Pierre Brooks has found a home at Butler. After averaging just 3.6 points as a reserve last season at Michigan State, the 6-6 forward is averaging 16.9 points this year. Thad Matta’s squad is 6-2 and will play its next four games at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
  • Moussa Cisse will make his debut today for Ole Miss when the Rebels host Memphis. The 7-footer averaged 6.8 points, eight rebounds, and 1.9 blocks last season and should enhance Ole Miss’ rim protection immensely. Cisse was a two-time transfer who received a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately earlier this week after previously playing at both Oklahoma State and Memphis.
  • College Hoops Today reported this week that there’s growing momentum for the Big Ten to only have 14 or 15 teams participate in the Big Ten Tournament when the league expands to 18 teams during the 2024-25 season.

Daily Specials

  • Marquette at Wisconsin
  • Florida State at North Carolina
  • Memphis at Ole Miss
  • Colorado State/Washington (Las Vegas)
  • Gonzaga/USC (Las Vegas)

Leftovers