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The Breakfast Buffet: Kentucky/Tennessee, a big day in the Big 12, Clemson’s big opportunity

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

Kentucky/Tennessee
On paper, this game is an absolute mismatch. The Wildcats are in total disarray and have lost two straight entering today’s game in Knoxville. The Vols meanwhile are only allowing an average of 55.5 points in SEC play and are the top defensive team in college basketball according to the analytics website KenPom.com. So this game is destined to be a blowout, right? Absolutely not. Tennessee’s offensive droughts throughout the season have been well documented and there’s a strong chance that this game is played in the mud for 40 minutes. Don’t be shocked if Kentucky (10-6) is extremely competitive today on the road.

A big day in the Big 12
It feels like we say that every two or three days, but it’s the utmost truth. The best conference in college basketball again has a major slate, with two games standing above the rest. Kansas State (15-1) travels to take on TCU (13-3) in Fort Worth while Iowa State (13-2) heads to Allen Fieldhouse to play Kansas (15-1). All four teams were ranked in the Top 18 of last week’s ROTHSTEIN 45. As of Friday, nine of the 10 teams in the Big 12 were ranked in the Top 45 of the NET.

Clemson has a major opportunity against Duke
The Tigers are currently in sole possession of first place in the ACC and were projected to make in the NCAA Tournament in Friday’s BRACKET BREAKDOWN, but a win over the Blue Devils today at home would truly enhance this team’s national perception. Clemson (14-3) enters today’s game on a six-game winning streak. Duke (13-4) is just 1-2 this season in true road games. A word to the wise: Keep an eye on Chase Hunter. The junior guard is a bit underrated nationally, but could use today’s platform to become more of a household name. The 6-3 Hunter is currently averaging 14.5 points and 4.5 assists for Clemson.

On The Side

  • Xavier (14-3) has scored 88 or more points in three of its last six games. The Musketeers are averaging 84.4 points while shooting 51 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three-point range. That’s ridiculous.
  • Payton Sandfort has officially turned a corner for Iowa (11-6). The 6-7 sophomore is averaging 19.7 points in his last three games and is 9-18 from three-point range during that span. The Hawkeyes are 6-1 this season when Sandfort scores in double figures.
  • Arizona State (14-3) has 43 assists on its last 62 made field goals. This is the most unselfish team that Bobby Hurley has had during his tenure with the Sun Devils.
  • Has a program in the last 20 years gotten more value dollar wise out of its head coach than Saint Mary’s (15-4) has gotten out of Randy Bennett? Bennett won his 495th game with the Gaels on Thursday night against Loyola Marymount and has averaged 22.5 wins per year in his 22 seasons in Moraga.
  • Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas has scored 32 or more points in three of his last five games. The 6-foot Abmas — who led this program to the Sweet 16 in 2021 — is averaging 22 points, five rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

Daily Specials

  • Kentucky at Tennessee
  • Kansas State at TCU
  • Providence at Creighton
  • Iowa State at Kansas
  • Duke at Clemson

Leftovers