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The Breakfast Buffet: Andre Curbelo leads Illinois against Marquette, Florida, Jules Bernard

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

Andre Curbelo leads Illinois against Marquette
College basketball’s most exciting point guard steps into the spotlight as the Illini head to Milwaukee as part of the Gavitt Games. Illinois is still without All-American big man Kofi Cockburn for one more game due to an NCAA suspension, but this team remains appointment viewing simply because of Curbelo. The 6-1 floor general had eight points, seven assists, and four rebounds in just 19 minutes last Friday against Arkansas State in what was his first game of the year after sitting the opener with a concussion. Expect a bigger output tonight. This is Illinois’ first major platform of the young season and nobody knows that better than Curbelo, a burgeoning point guard with All-American potential as a sophomore. It will be interesting to see how Marquette handles such an established opponent in its first legitimate home game under Shaka Smart.

Florida sent a message against Florida State
So you thought that the Gators were going to be down this year without Keyontae Johnson? Guess again. Florida’s relentless pressure defense held Florida State to just 25 second-half points in Sunday’s 71-55 victory, which was the first win that the Gators have had over the Seminoles under Mike White. While White has had more talented offensive teams since he’s been the coach in Gainesville, this unit definitely seems like it has the requisites to be the best one that he’s coached on the defensive side of the floor. The combination of Brandon McKissic (UMKC), Myreon Jones (Penn State), and Phlan Fleming (Charleston Southern) along with Anthony Duruji give Florida four guys who can constantly disrupt the opponent’s offense. The Gators finished Sunday’s game with nine steals and 10 blocked shots. This team has a clear cut identity early in the season.

Jules Bernard is UCLA’s unsung presence
Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez, and Tyger Campbell receive plenty of warranted attention, but those inside the Bruins’ program will tell you just how important Bernard is to UCLA’s entire operation. The 6-7 wing quietly made a major jump last season, going from averaging 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds as a sophomore to 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds as a junior. He also improved his ball security. Two years ago, Bernard had more turnovers than assists. Last season he had 51 dimes to 39 turnovers and was an integral part of UCLA’s surprise Final Four run. Remember: Bernard had 17 points and six rebounds in the Bruins’ upset win over Alabama last March in the Sweet 16. He also hit a critical shot late in last Friday’s comeback victory over Villanova. UCLA (2-0) hosts Long Beach State tonight at Pauley Pavilion.

On The Side

  • Texas Tech’s Bryson Williams is going to be one of the best players in the Big 12. The 6-8 forward is averaging 19 points and 8.5 rebounds through the Red Raiders first two games and is 11-20 from the field during that span. Last season at UTEP, Williams averaged 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in a pair of games against Kansas and Arizona State.
  • UCF showed on Saturday why it’s the sleeper team in the American Athletic Conference. The Knights’ 95-89 win at Miami was never in doubt, further reiterating that this team has a legitimate chance to be right in the mix behind Houston and Memphis in the league standings.
  • How about Ohio’s first week of the season? The Bobcats beat Belmont at home by a dozen in their opener and then went on the road to top Horizon League favorite Cleveland State by 11. This team is quickly proving that there’s life in Athens after Jason Preston. 
  • Cincinnati transfer Tari Eason is quickly finding a home at LSU. The 6-8 forward has posted back-to-back double-doubles in the Tigers’ first two games and is averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds entering tonight’s tilt against Liberty in Baton Rouge.
  • The sleeper game of the night in college basketball is in Pullman as Washington State hosts UC Santa Barbara. The Cougars are a trendy pick to do damage in the Pac-12 while the Gauchos return three of their top four scorers from last season’s team that was a layup away from beating Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This is appointment television for the true college basketball junkie.

Daily Specials

  • Nicholls at Baylor
  • Illinois at Marquette
  • Liberty at LSU
  • Providence at Wisconsin
  • UC Santa Barbara at Washington State

Leftovers