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The Breakfast Buffet: David Joplin, Antonio Reeves, Purdue visits Rutgers

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

David Joplin has emerged for Marquette
This is the player that people expected to see replace Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the Golden Eagles’ starting lineup. After starting the year slow, the 6-8 Joplin is now delivering. In his last three games, Joplin is averaging 18 points while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 52.2 percent from three-point range. Marquette — who has now won won four straight games — needs Joplin to be a major factor if it’s going to have a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Antonio Reeves is playing like an All-American
He’s not getting the same attention as Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, but the 6-6 Reeves is also producing like he’s one of the best wings in the sport. Reeves’ 24-point, four-rebound effort in Kentucky’s win over Arkansas on Saturday at Bud Walton Arena is the type of performance that’s become the expectation for this fifth-year senior, who started his college career at Illinois State. Reeves is averaging career-highs in points (19.5), field-goal percentage (50.2), and three-point field-goal percentage (43.1). It can’t be overstated how important it was for the Wildcats to get this guy to return to school for another season.

Purdue visits Rutgers
The Boilers have lost three straight games against the Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena entering today’s game in Piscataway. Rutgers isn’t currently anywhere near the NCAA Tournament picture, but has a terrific home court advantage and a capable big man in Cliff Omoruyi (10.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks) to match up with Zach Edey (22.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks) in the middle. Purdue has won back-to-back road games since losing at Nebraska a few weeks ago. Keep an eye on Southern Illinois transfer Lance Jones, who’s now averaging 19.3 points in the Boilers’ last three games.

On The Side

  • UConn’s Donovan Clingan is averaging six points, six rebounds, and two blocks in 19.5 minutes in the two games since he returned from a foot injury. The Huskies will go for their eighth straight win today against Xavier at the XL Center in Hartford. The 7-2 Clingan did not play when the two teams met earlier this month in Cincinnati.
  • New Mexico’s JT Toppin is the best freshman in college basketball that not enough people are talking about. The 6-9 big man is averaging 16.3 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks during the Lobos’ four-game winning streak. Richard Pitino’s squad will host Nevada tonight in Albuquerque.
  • Kansas’ 4-3 start in Big 12 play equals the worst start that the Jayhawks have ever had in conference play under Bill Self.
  • Temple transfer Damian Dunn is emerging as a lethal reserve for Houston. The 6-5 guard has scored a combined 23 points off the bench in the Cougars’ last two games. Dunn averaged 15.3 points last season at Temple.
  • South Carolina’s Lamont Paris is separating himself as the favorite to be SEC Coach of the Year and it isn’t close. The Gamecocks were picked last in the SEC Preseason Poll, but are now 17-3 after Saturday’s win over Missouri. South Carolina won just 11 games last season in Paris’ first year in Columbia.

Daily Specials

  • Xavier at UConn
  • Purdue at Rutgers
  • North Texas at Florida Atlantic
  • Memphis at UAB
  • Nevada at New Mexico

Leftovers