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The Breakfast Buffet: Anthony Dell’Orso, Duke made Michigan look mortal, St. John’s

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

Anthony Dell’Orso had himself a week
Arizona needed someone to step up with both Koa Peat and Dwayne Aristode out of the lineup and Dell’Orso answered the bell. The 6-6 wing tallied back-to-back 22-point performances in a pair of wins for the Wildcats against both BYU and Houston, which further reiterates the incredible balance that exists on Arizona’s roster. Prior to his last two games, Dell’Orso only tallied 20 or more points in a game once this season. The Wildcats are 25-2 and headed towards the top seed in the West Region on Selection Sunday.

Duke made Michigan look mortal
A win over the Wolverines with only six made three-point shots? A dominant performance on the boards against college basketball’s most imposing front line? All of these things came to fruition on Saturday night in Washington D.C. The Blue Devils’ 68-63 win over Michigan was impressive for a number of reasons, but the biggest is they showed America that there’s more than one way to beat Dusty May’s team. Wisconsin had to make 15 three-point shots on Jan. 10th to give the Wolverines their only loss of the season prior to Saturday’s game against the Blue Devils. Duke made just six shots from long distance against Michigan and still managed to win. It also out rebounded Michigan 41-28. With the win, the Blue Devils now have the inside track to be the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday.

St. John’s roster wasn’t as flawed as people initially thought
There’s something to be said for letting things play out. As the Red Storm’s vicious non-conference schedule featured four tough losses against quality competition in November and December, a narrative followed that the makeup of St. John’s roster was structurally flawed. As it turns out, the roster is still perfectly capable, but it’s just built with more size and power rather than speed and guard play like we saw a year ago when this program earned a two seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm picked up their 13th straight win on Saturday against Creighton and will take a 22-5 record into this week’s game against UConn in Hartford, which could put Rick Pitino’s team over the top in its quest to win its second consecutive outright Big East regular season title. Prior to last season, this program last won an outright Big East regular season title in 1985.

On The Side

  • 10 of the 16 teams in Saturday’s Bracket Reveal on CBS were from the Big 12 and the Big Ten.
  • Kansas’ 16-point loss on Saturday against Cincinnati at Allen Fieldhouse was its worst loss to unranked team at home since 1973.
  • Donovan Dent’s ball security has drastically improved under Mick Cronin and Saturday night against Illinois was the apex. The talented point guard had 15 assists and zero turnovers in the 95-94 overtime win.
  • Gonzaga’s Braden Huff (knee) is “just getting ready to be off crutches and walking in a few days,” Mark Few told College Hoops Today. The 6-10 Huff — who averages 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds — has not played since Jan. 8th and is about five weeks into his eight-week recovery.
  • Ohio State’s John Mobley (hand) is “progressing, but still does not have a specific timetable for a return”, Jake Diebler told College Hoops Today. “It’s not too far away,” Diebler added regarding the 6-1 Mobley, who averages 15.1 points and has not played since Feb. 11th. The Buckeyes visit Michigan State today in East Lansing. Tip off is at 1 PM ET on CBS.

Daily Specials

  • Ohio State at Michigan State
  • Iowa at Wisconsin

Leftovers