College Hoops Today

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The Breakfast Buffet: A contrast of styles in Fort Worth, Kentucky/Louisville, Wisconsin’s experience

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

A contrast of styles in Fort Worth
Gonzaga and Virginia couldn’t be more different in their approach and that’s part of what makes today’s game at Dickies Arena so fascinating. The Bulldogs are currently averaging 94.7 points and are ranked fifth in adjusted tempo according to KenPom.com. The Cavaliers are ranked dead last in adjusted tempo among Division 1 teams and are averaging 74.4 points. Gonzaga has already illustrated this season that it’s more than capable of navigating different styles, but how will it respond to Virginia’s methodical and deliberate approach? This is a chess match of epic proportions between Mark Few and Tony Bennett. Tip off is at 4 PM ET on CBS. 

Kentucky/Louisville
One of college basketball’s best rivalries comes to the forefront at a time when one of college basketball’s most storied programs desperately needs a win. Kentucky enters today’s game at the KFC Yum Center with a 1-5 record thanks to a combination of inexperience and overscheduling. Can the Wildcats shift their fate today on the road against their biggest rival? Of course, but it’s not going to be easy. Louisville’s perimeter combination of Carlik Jones and David Johnson has the chops to be the best backcourt in the ACC and also has the temperament to control today’s game from the point of the attack. At this point, Kentucky is not going to out execute its opponents. The Wildcats have a total of 69 assists this season to 100 turnovers as a team and are shooting just 24.3 percent from three-point range. John Calipari’s team is going to have to attack the rim against the Cardinals and get into the paint if it’s going to end its five-game losing streak. 

Wisconsin’s level of experience can’t be understated
This is unheard of in today’s day and age. The Badgers start five seniors and three fifth-year seniors. Wisconsin’s backup point guard — Trevor Anderson — is also a fifth-year senior. During a season where programs across the country are struggling with rhythm and chemistry due to COVID-19, Greg Gard’s squad is in a completely different situation. Wisconsin is good at what it knows and knows what it’s good at. The Badgers improved to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play after Friday’s win at Michigan State. This team is built for the NCAA Tournament.

On The Side

  • The NCAA’s decision to grant players an extra year of eligibility means that more seniors will return next season and it’s going to be harder for true freshmen to crack rotations. There is no shame in redshirting. Just ask Purdue’s Brandon Newman and Mason Gillis. Both have had a major hand in the Boilers’ 7-3 start. The 6-5 Newman had 17 points in Friday’s win over Maryland.
  • Need more proof that teams should always foul up three late in the game? Iowa’s decision not to foul up three late against Minnesota on Friday gave Marcus Carr an opportunity to tie the game for the Gophers in the final seconds. He did. The Hawkeyes lost by seven in overtime. 
  • UCF has an incredible opportunity to boost its resume today at home against Houston. The Knights already have a road victory at Florida State and have also beaten both Auburn and Cincinnati. This is a fascinating game in the overall landscape of the American Athletic Conference. 
  • Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore have a combined 26 assists to just three turnovers in Villanova’s first three Big East games. The Wildcats’ starting backcourt is FDIC insured.
  • The following mid-major programs are all undefeated and have at least five wins: Winthrop, Drake, Southern Illinois, The Citadel, Chattanooga. 

Daily Specials

  • Kentucky at Louisville
  • Houston at UCF
  • Ohio State at Northwestern
  • Indiana at Illinois
  • Gonzaga/Virginia (Fort Worth)

Leftovers: