College Hoops Today

Serving College Basketball 365 Days a Year

The Breakfast Buffet: West Virginia set to earn best seed since 2010, Illinois/Michigan, Josh Pastner’s biggest game yet at Georgia Tech

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

West Virginia is on track to have its best NCAA Tournament seed since 2010
That was the year that the Mountaineers reached the Final Four in — you guessed it — Indianapolis. West Virginia (17-6) enters today’s game in Morgantown against Baylor as a projected two seed and should be able to hold that position until Selection Sunday barring something unforeseen. The Mountaineers are 9-4 since Oscar Tshiebwe left the program in late-December, with those four defeats coming by a combined 12 points. 

Illinois’ trip to Michigan
A pair of number one seeds are set to lock horns tonight in Ann Arbor in what could be a preview of a game that could again be played during the early days of April. Just another night in the Big Ten, right? Expect a tremendous matchup in the pivot between Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn and Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson. Both are likely All-Americans. This could be a big opportunity for Brad Underwood to continue to develop his ancillary perimeter pieces with guys Andre Curbelo, Adam Miller, Da’Monte Williams, and Jacob Grandison all likely to play extended minutes. Ayo Dosunmu is still being listed as “day-to-day” with facial injuries, according to Underwood. 

Josh Pastner’s biggest game at Georgia Tech
It’s not just because it’s against Duke. It’s not just because both teams are on the bubble. Tonight’s game in Atlanta against the Blue Devils gives Pastner a chance to make a statement as a coach. Since starting the season with back-to-back losses to Mercer and Georgia State, Georgia Tech is 13-6 with wins over Florida State, North Carolina, Clemson, and Virginia Tech. But the Yellow Jackets still need to do more. Pastner always had elite talent when he was at Memphis, but this has undoubtedly been his best team at his current post. That sentiment can be cemented by making the NCAA Tournament. Georgia Tech will be a step closer to that goal tomorrow if it can beat Duke tonight.

On The Side

  • Texas needs to get Courtney Ramey back on track — quickly! Ramey is a combined 4-22 from the field and 2-10 from three-point range over the Longhorns’ last two games.  
  • Since losing at Wichita State a few weeks ago, Houston has won three straight games by an average of 36 points. The Cougars don’t just want to beat you — they want to embarrass you. 
  • Craig Smith is now 70-22 over the last three years at Utah State. This guy has made the Aggies a national program in the Mountain West. Don’t bet against this team next week at the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas.
  • VCU’s Bones Hyland (foot) is officially listed as “day-to-day” and is hopeful to play this weekend in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, according to Mike Rhoades. The 6-3 sophomore is currently averaging 19.2 points and 4.4 rebounds. Hyland has missed the Rams’ last two games. 
  • Cincinnati transfer Eliel Nsoseme has found a home at Georgia State. The 6-8 big man has had four double-doubles this season and is averaging 11.7 points and 9.9 rebounds. The Panthers are a team to watch in the Sun Belt. 

Daily Specials

  • Baylor at West Virginia
  • Illinois at Michigan
  • Auburn at Alabama
  • Indiana at Michigan State
  • Duke at Georgia Tech

Leftovers: