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The Breakfast Buffet: Armageddon in Lubbock, Alabama’s gauntlet continues, Providence hits the Big Apple

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

Armageddon in Lubbock
Texas Tech fans have been waiting for this day since Chris Beard took the Texas job last spring. The Longhorns’ trip to Lubbock tonight in Beard’s return to the place that he took to the cusp of the 2019 national title is expected to be hostile, intense, and downright crazy. How crazy? Texas Tech is bringing in former professional wrestler Ric Flair to add sizzle to the festivities. As far as basketball goes, Texas’ offense is going to have to find a way to generate scoring against the Red Raiders’ vaunted defense. The Longhorns have won three straight, but have scored 56 points or less in two of their last three games. Texas Tech is currently ranked third in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.

Alabama’s gauntlet continues
College basketball’s ultimate Jekyll & Hyde team steps back into the heavyweight division tonight when it travels to in-state rival Auburn. Alabama (14-7) will then host Kentucky later this week in Tuscaloosa. Nate Oats’ team — who has lost three straight games away from home — has been beyond mercurial this season, posting wins over Baylor, Gonzaga, Houston, and LSU while also losing to Georgia, Missouri, and Memphis. It will be interesting to see Alabama performs tonight on the road against the top-ranked team in the sport.

Providence hits the Big Apple
The Friars’ dream season will continue tonight in Queens with a showdown against St. John’s. Expect a bloodbath. Mike Anderson’s team always seems to be more of a nuisance in games that are played at Carnesecca Arena and it should also be playing with a sense of added desperation. It’s time for the Red Storm — who enter tonight’s game at 11-8 overall — to start building momentum or the only way that they’re going to have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament is by earning an automatic bid by winning the Big East Tournament. A close game will favor Providence (18-2), as the Friars are an impressive 7-0 in games this season that are decided by five points or less. Tip off for this game is at 9 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.

On The Side

  • Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis already has more rebounds (142) than he did during all of last season (128). Davis had 15 rebounds in Sunday’s win over Minnesota. The 6-5 All-American is averaging 21.4 points and 7.9 rebounds for the 17-3 Badgers, who will next face Illinois on Wednesday night in Champaign.
  • Texas Tech’s Terrence Shannon Jr. (back) will suit up for tonight’s game against Texas and then see how he feels before ultimately making a decision on if he’ll play, Mark Adams said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast. Shannon averages 12 points and did not play in the Red Raiders’ win over Mississippi State on Saturday.
  • Kentucky is 8-1 this season in games where Keion Brooks scores in double figures. The 6-7 junior had 27 points and eight rebounds in Saturday’s win at Kansas.
  • UCLA’s next four games are on the road, starting with Thursday’s rematch against Arizona in Tucson. If the Pac-12 doesn’t add any rescheduled games, six of the Bruins’ final nine regular season games will be played away from Westwood.
  • Two teams not getting a lot of love who are quietly building momentum in their respective leagues: SMU (16-4) and VCU (13-6).

Daily Specials

  • Creighton at UConn
  • Kansas at Iowa State
  • Alabama at Auburn
  • Texas at Texas Tech
  • Providence at St. John’s

Leftovers