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The Breakfast Buffet: Chris Beard again replenishing talent, St. John’s bench, Grant Sherfield

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

Chris Beard’s ability to replenish talent is second to none
You’re not supposed to be doing this type of stuff in Lubbock. In 2018, Beard led Texas Tech to the Elite Eight where it lost to eventual national champion Villanova. He then lost five of his top six scorers and responded by taking the Red Raiders to within one possession of a national championship thanks to a pair of grad transfers (Matt Mooney, Tariq Owens) and Jarrett Culver. Four of the Red Raiders’ top five scorers then departed the program prior to last season, but Beard still kept Texas Tech nationally relevant and in position to make the NCAA Tournament. Entering tonight’s game against West Virginia, Texas Tech is currently ranked 7th in this week’s AP Top 25 one year removed from again losing its top two scorers in Jahm’ius Ramsey and Davide Moretti. It is the fourth straight season that the Red Raiders have been ranked in the Top 10. Again, you’re not supposed to be doing this type of stuff in Lubbock. 

St. John’s bench has had a major hand in its six-game winning streak
There’s much more to this team than just Posh Alexander and Julian Champagnie. During its current six-game winning streak, St. John’s bench is averaging 23.8 points all while providing consistent offensive pop from a number of different places. The names listed above may be the known commodities in Mike Anderson’s program, but guys like Marcellus Earlington, Isaih Moore, and freshman Dylan Addae-Wusu have also all excelled in their respective roles. St. John’s will try and push its winning streak to seven tonight against Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. 

Grant Sherfield has emerged into one of the best point guards in the country
We’ve seen recently why this kid was initially recruited to play at UCLA out of high school. The Wichita State transfer has been a revelation this season for Nevada (14-7), blending both scoring and facilitating on a regular basis. Sherfield averaged 24.5 points and 11 assists in a pair of wins last weekend over Boise State and has regularly been the best player on the floor in the majority of games that he’s played. A 6-2 sophomore, he’s currently averaging 18.9 points and 6.2 assists. The Wolf Pack are not currently among the teams in the Mountain West who are in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid, but Sherfield gives them a puncher’s chance against any opponent. 

On The Side

  • Alabama needs to get Josh Primo back on track offensively. The 6-6 freshman has only scored a combined seven points in the Crimson Tide’s last three games. Nate Oats’ squad has lost two of its last three tilts and visits South Carolina tonight in Columbia.
  • Four of Purdue’s first-year players — Mason Gillis, Brandon Newman, Jaden Ivey, and Zach Edey — combined for 53 of its 75 points in Saturday night’s win over Northwestern. This is a tremendous sign for both the Boilermakers’ present and future. Gillis and Newman redshirted last season and are now both regulars in Matt Painter’s starting lineup. 
  • UCLA’s Cody Riley (ankle) is hopeful to play later this week against Washington State and Washington, Mick Cronin said on Monday. Jalen Hill’s status is up in the air due to personal reasons. Both players did not play in Saturday’s loss to USC. Riley — the Bruins’ starting center — is averaging 10.6 points and six rebounds. 
  • Georgetown sophomore Qudus Wahab is showing major flashes of potential. The 6-11 big man had 17 points and seven rebounds in Sunday’s loss at Villanova and is averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over his last two games. The Hoyas will host Creighton tonight in Washington D.C. Tip off is at 9 PM ET on CBS Sports Network. 
  • RIP to long time high school basketball scout Tom Konchalski, who passed away on Monday. If you were involved in basketball at any level, you were Tom’s friend. If you weren’t, he made you feel like you were his friend anyways. There will never be another. 

Daily Specials

  • Alabama at South Carolina
  • Penn State at Michigan State
  • West Virginia at Texas Tech
  • Creighton at Georgetown
  • St. John’s at Butler

Leftovers: