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The Breakfast Buffet: March Madness Edition

Mangia!

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.

Things To Sample

Wade Taylor IV is playing out of his mind
Great players often play their best when it matters most and that’s exactly what’s happening with Taylor. The 6-foot guard has been electric since Texas A&M played its way off the bubble in the SEC Tournament. In Taylor’s last three games, he’s averaging an astronomical 29 points while shooting 19-36 from three-point range. Those are video game type numbers. It will be interesting to see how Taylor performs on Sunday in the Aggies’ Round of 32 matchup with Houston.

Bryce Drew’s finest hour
Five years ago, Vanderbilt fired Drew after he went winless in SEC play following a season-ending knee injury to Darius Garland. On Friday, Drew led Grand Canyon to an NCAA Tournament win over Saint Mary’s while the Commodores are again looking for a head coach. It’s funny how things work out. Drew has the temperament, demeanor, and pedigree to again be a power conference head coach, but he will first lead the Lopes into Sunday’s Round of 32 matchup with Alabama.

The Pac-12 is having one heck of a swan song
Better late than never? After years of fighting for national relevance, the Pac-12 is off to an incredible start in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The league — which will cease to exist at the conclusion of this season — is 5-0 through the first two days of the NCAA Tournament. And that mark is without UCLA or USC — two of the conference’s biggest brands — participating in the bracket. It will be interesting to see how many Pac-12 teams break through and reach the Sweet 16.

On The Side

  • Rodney Terry worked for Rick Barnes an assistant from 2002-11 when Barnes was the head coach of Texas. The two will meet head-to-head today with a berth to the Sweet 16 on the line as Texas meets Tennessee in Charlotte.
  • Today’s Round of 32 game between Kansas and Gonzaga is only the second ever meeting between these two blue blood programs.
  • Dana Altman will face his old school today when Oregon meets Creighton in Pittsburgh. Altman was the Bluejays’ head coach from 1994-2010.
  • Illinois is now 8-0 this season in games where Dain Dainja scores in double figures.
  • One thing I never thought I’d write a month ago? Either NC State or Oakland will be in the Sweet 16.

Leftovers