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The Breakfast Buffet: Tyrese Proctor, Liam McNeeley, St. John’s visits Villanova

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

Tyrese Proctor is quietly taking things to another level for Duke
Cooper Flagg (19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists) and Kon Knueppel (13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds) won’t be able to single handedly carry the Blue Devils to the Final Four. That’s where Proctor comes into play. The 6-6 junior is averaging 18.7 points over his last three games and is an impressive 10-23 from three-point range during that span. It’s the best three-game stretch that Proctor has had this season. Talented freshmen like Flagg and Knueppel can be part of an equation that leads this team deep into the NCAA Tournament, but consistent contributions from veterans is also a prerequisite. The Blue Devils will host Cal tonight at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Liam McNeeley went off for UConn against Creighton
We knew that McNeeley’s return from an ankle injury would be a major boost for the Huskies, but it looks like it’s going to be more significant than anybody initially envisioned. The 6-7 freshman had 38 points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday night’s 70-66 win at Creighton and shot a ridiculous 12-22 from the field and 5-10 from three-point range. McNeeley is averaging 28.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in his first two games back since missing a month of game action. His return truly encapsulates just how shorthanded Dan Hurley’s club was without him during the month of January.

St. John’s visits Villanova
The Red Storm are chasing their first outright Big East regular season title since 1984-85 while the Wildcats are chasing a late-season push towards the NCAA Tournament. Villanova’s 80-68 win over Xavier on Sunday was arguably its best performance of the season and unequivocally its best all-around performance in Big East play. Can the Wildcats replicate that same type of effort against a team that’s 21-3 and on a 10-game winning streak? It won’t be easy. St. John’s relentless defense isn’t getting the type of national attention that it warrants as Rick Pitino’s squad is only allowing an average of 61.8 points in Big East play.

On The Side

  • Houston’s Terrance Arceneaux is averaging 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in his last three games. The 6-6 sophomore is turning into a potent reserve for the Cougars, who are in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 standings.
  • Chase Hunter (17.6 points, 3.0 rebounds) has shot 50.0 percent or better from the field in 16 of Clemson’s 25 games this season. I’ll say it again: This is the best guard in college basketball that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
  • Texas is just 3-5 at home this season against power conference opponents.
  • Texas Tech’s Elijah Hawkins has 19 assists and just two turnovers in his last two games. The Red Raiders will host Arizona State tonight in Lubbock. Tip off is at 9 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
  • A great story is unfolding at UC San Diego under Eric Olen. The Tritons’ best player from last season — Bryce Pope — transferred to USC, but this team is still somehow 20-4 and tied for first place in the Big West with UC Irvine. Keep this squad on your radar.

Daily Specials

  • St. John’s at Villanova
  • Ole Miss at South Carolina
  • Cal at Duke
  • Arizona State at Texas Tech
  • Oklahoma at Missouri

Leftovers