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The Breakfast Buffet: Tennessee, Braden Smith, Memphis visits Texas A&M

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

Tennessee has eight starters
It’s taken the Vols about a month, but they’re finally close to being healthy for the first time this season. That means that the three players that Rick Barnes brings off the bench — Jahmai Mashack, Tobe Awaka, and Jordan Gainey — are all capable of playing major minutes. Mashack’s perimeter defense was instrumental in Saturday’s 86-79 win over Illinois in Knoxville while Awaka grabbed seven rebounds in 15 minutes. Gainey — a proven scorer — only had five points, but has reached double figures in six of Tennessee’s first nine games. This team’s depth may be its greatest attribute when it begins SEC play at the beginning of next month.

Braden Smith looked like a “guy” for Purdue against Alabama
We knew that the Boilers had Batman in Zach Edey, but now they may also have Robin. It’s been well documented that Smith has made a quality leap from his freshman to sophomore season, but Saturday’s game against the Crimson Tide was the first time this year that he truly asserted himself in a big spot against quality competition. He finished with a career-high 27 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in the 92-86 victory. The 6-foot Smith is averaging 15 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.8 rebounds in his last four games. For the Boilers to get where they hope to go this season, they need a consistent secondary option next to Edey. Right now, Smith looks like their best bet.

Memphis visits Texas A&M
The Tigers are 2-1 in true road game this season, but none of those three opponents — Missouri, Ole Miss, and VCU — are in the same weight class as the Aggies. Buzz Williams’ squad enters today’s game at 7-2 with its only two losses coming against Florida Atlantic on a neutral court and at Virginia. Keep an eye on the matchup at point guard between Texas A&M’s Wade Taylor IV (18 points, 4.6 assists) and Memphis’ Jahvon Quinerly (12 points, 4.8 assists). This is the game of the day in college basketball.

On The Side

  • Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler has 17 assists to just three turnovers in his last three games.
  • Louisville has not won a true road game under Kenny Payne.
  • Colorado freshman Cody Williams has scored 21 points in back-to-back games entering today’s matchup with Miami at the Barclays Center.
  • One thing I didn’t think I’d write a month ago: Michigan State will drop below .500 if it loses tonight at Nebraska.
  • St. Joe’s can move the needle nationally today at Hagan Arena against undefeated Princeton. The Hawks are 7-2 and have won four straight since falling at Kentucky in overtime on Nov. 20th. This is the biggest home game of the Billy Lange era.

Daily Specials

  • Princeton at St. Joe’s
  • Colorado/Miami (Barclays Center)
  • Memphis at Texas A&M
  • Boston College/St. John’s (Barclays Center)
  • Michigan State at Nebraska

Leftovers