College Hoops Today

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The Breakfast Buffet: Cole Swider, Kennedy Chandler, North Carolina’s defense

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

Cole Swider goes against his former team
Jay Wright won’t look forward to coaching against his former player tonight when Villanova faces Syracuse in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, but the transfer portal and immediate eligibility means that storylines like this are going to be inevitable moving forward in college sports. Swider spent the first three seasons of his college career at Villanova before opting to transfer to Syracuse in hopes of finding a bigger role. He now has one. The 6-9 forward is now starting for the Orange and averaging 13.1 points and 6.9 rebounds. Swider never averaged more than 6.1 points during his three years with the Wildcats. This is an interesting storyline to monitor in what is a fascinating matchup between two old Big East rivals at the World’s Most Famous Arena.

Kennedy Chandler hits Broadway
New York City has always been fond of elite point guards and another one will come to the forefront tonight. The 6-foot Chandler isn’t getting the same type of attention as Duke’s Paolo Banchero or Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, but those who know that sport are well aware that he’s clearly one of the best freshmen in the country. That sentiment will likely be augmented after tonight’s game between Tennessee and Texas Tech in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Chandler scored 27 points in the Vols’ win at Colorado on Saturday and has been incredibly efficient since Tennessee lost to Villanova a few weeks ago at Mohegan Sun. In his last four games, Chandler is shooting 53.3 percent from the field. He also has nine assists to just two turnovers in his last two games. The Vols are 6-1 entering tonight’s game against Texas Tech.

North Carolina’s defense is improving
A lot can change in a couple of weeks. After giving up an average of 91 points in back-to-back losses to Purdue and Tennessee at Mohegan Sun, the Tar Heels have done a complete 180. During its current three-game winning streak, North Carolina is only allowing an average of 55.3 points. If this continues, this team could very well be the ACC’s top challenger to Duke in its first season under Hubert Davis. The Tar Heels are 6-2 and will next host Elon on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

On The Side

  • Michigan needs more out of Brandon Johns. The 6-8 senior has yet to score in double figures this season and has only grabbed a total of 17 rebounds in the Wolverines’ first eight games. Johns averaged 10 points and 3.3 rebounds in four NCAA Tournament games last March.
  • Kerr Kriisa’s ball security has been a major reason for Arizona’s 7-0 start. The 6-3 point guard currently has 37 assists to just seven turnovers. That’s a ratio better than 5:1 for those keeping score at home!
  • Alabama’s massive win over Gonzaga this past weekend raises the profile of Iona, who beat the Crimson Tide a few weeks ago in Orlando. If Rick Pitino’s team can beat Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 18th and avoid an excessive amount of losses during conference play in the MAAC, it will be firmly in the at-large picture on Selection Sunday. Iona (8-2) next plays Ivy League favorite Yale on Sunday night at the Barclays Center.
  • UConn’s Tyrese Martin (wrist) and Adama Sanogo (abdominal) could possibly return for the Huskies’ Big East games in a few weeks against Providence and Marquette, Dan Hurley said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast. “There’s a shot,” Hurley said. “Adama (Sanogo) in particular, has been feeling better in the last few days.” Both Martin (12.9 points, 7.7 rebounds) and Sanogo (15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds) are two of the best players in the Big East. UConn (8-1) will next face West Virginia on Wednesday in Morgantown as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle.
  • The NCAA released the first NET rankings of the 21-22 season on Monday. You check them out by clicking HERE.

Daily Specials

  • Tennessee/Texas Tech (MSG)
  • Michigan at Nebraska
  • Belmont at Saint Louis
  • Butler at Oklahoma
  • Villanova/Syracuse

Leftovers