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The Breakfast Buffet: Andrew Nembhard a big key for Gonzaga, Ohio State’s path to a one seed, St. Bonaventure/VCU

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

Andrew Nembhard is Gonzaga’s potential “elevator”
The Bulldogs have four potential All-Americans on their roster in Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, Joel Ayayi, and Drew Timme, but Nembhard could be the guy who takes Gonzaga to a different level between now and April 5th. Mark Few inserted Nembhard into the starting lineup earlier in the week at BYU and the 6-5 guard did not disappoint. Nembhard scored 15 points in 32 minutes against the Cougars and made several key baskets consecutively in the second half that allowed Gonzaga to put the game out of reach. Remember: Nembhard led Florida in minutes played last season before transferring. He’s now a major key to the Bulldogs reaching their potential zenith between now and the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament. 

Ohio State controls its own destiny for a number one seed
Six regular season games — as of now — remain for the Buckeyes and four of them are in Columbus. Three of those games include matchups with Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa. That’s an advantageous situation for a team that currently owns more Quad 1 victories than any other team in the sport. If the Buckeyes can handle their business down the stretch, they’ll be one of the top overall seeds on March 14th. Ohio State (16-4) will next host Indiana on Saturday.

St. Bonaventure’s trip to VCU
Mark Schmidt has St. Bonaventure right on schedule. Mike Rhoades has VCU a year ahead of schedule. Experience meets youth tonight in Richmond as the two teams who currently sit atop the Atlantic 10 standings battle for sole possession of first place. Another thing to watch closely? The backcourt matchup between the Bonnies’ Kyle Lofton (16 points, 5.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals) and the Rams’ Bones Hyland (19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals). This is appointment TV for the true college basketball junkie.

On The Side

  • The depth of the Big Ten is taking a toll on the teams that are currently in the middle of the league standings. Don’t be surprised if this conference — much like the ACC during the 16-17 season — winds up with less than 10 teams in the NCAA Tournament due to the bottom of the conference’s ability to eat the middle.
  • Iowa’s CJ Fredrick has a total of 40 assists to four turnovers this season. That’s a ratio of 10:1 for those of you keeping score at home. Fredrick hasn’t committed a turnover since Dec. 19th.
  • LSU freshman Cam Thomas has had 25 or more points in 12 of his 18 games this season. The 6-4 guard is currently averaging 22.4 points and leads the SEC in scoring. The Tigers will host Tennessee on Saturday in Baton Rouge. 
  • Charles Bassey is averaging 21.5 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks during Western Kentucky’s four-game winning streak. The Hilltoppers are a potential nightmare 13 seed. Or better. Rick Stansbury’s team will host Rice tonight in Bowling Green. 
  • Iona will play its first game since Dec. 23rd tonight when the Gaels begin a two-game series with rival Manhattan. Jaspers coach Steve Masiello worked for Rick Pitino as an assistant at Louisville prior to taking his current post. Masiello was also a ballboy for Pitino with the New York Knicks over 30 years ago. 

Daily Specials

  • Manhattan at Iona
  • St. Bonaventure at VCU
  • Georgia Tech at Clemson
  • Rice at Western Kentucky
  • Illinois at Nebraska

Leftovers: