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
Dalton Knecht looks like a first-team All-American
Last month, I wrote about how Tennessee needs Knecht to be play like an SEC Player of the Year candidate. He’s currently doing that and more. The 6-6 Knecht has exploded over the last week and a half and is averaging a whopping 33.7 points in his last three games, highlighted by a 39-point performance in Tuesday night’s win over Florida. He’s also 35-61 from the field and 13-23 from three-point range in his last three games as well. There’s not five players in the sport playing better than this guy.
Creighton visits UConn
Since the Huskies rejoined the Big East in 2020, five of the seven meetings between these two programs have been decided by five points or fewer. Should we expect another close encounter tonight at Gampel Pavilion? I’m not so sure. UConn has separated itself as the best team in the Big East and was ranked FIRST in this week’s ROTHSTEIN 45. The Huskies are also 5-0 without Donovan Clingan (13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks), who has been out since mid-December with a foot injury, but could return this week. It’s going to take an incredible effort from Greg McDermott’s squad to beat UConn in Storrs.
Joe Toussaint is playing his best basketball for Texas Tech
I’ve written ad nauseum in this space about how productive players with an additional year of eligibility should be recruited each spring with the same fervor as a four or five star prospect. Toussaint is another perfect example. After serving as a capable role player for three years at Iowa and last season at West Virginia, the 6-foot guard has really hit his stride this season for the Red Raiders. Entering tonight’s game at Houston, Toussaint is averaging career highs in points (14.1), assists (3.9), rebounds (3.1), field-goal percentage (45%), and three-point field-goal percentage (32.8%). This guy has been a major part of Texas Tech’s 14-2 start under Grant McCasland.
On The Side
- Chris Beard has been a head coach at four Division 1 schools — Little Rock, Texas Tech, Texas, and now Ole Miss. His combined overall record in his first season at those four places? 85-32 entering tonight’s game against LSU in Baton Rouge.
- Marquette’s David Joplin hasn’t made the jump this season that many expected after he stepped into the Golden Eagles’ starting lineup for Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who is now in the NBA. The 6-8 forward is averaging 9.3 points after averaging 9.2 points a year ago as one of the best reserves in the sport. Marquette needs more out of this guy.
- Arguably the top four brands in the Big Ten — Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State — are all far from locks to play in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
- Memphis is averaging 109.5 points in its last two games. That is not a misprint!
- Princeton has won 20 of its last 22 games dating back to last season. The 14-1 Tigers are primed to be another trendy pick during March Madness as long as they win the Ivy League Tournament.
Daily Specials
- Creighton at UConn
- Mississippi State at Kentucky
- Texas Tech at Houston
- Auburn at Vanderbilt
- Nevada at San Diego State
Leftovers
- The Breakfast Buffet: SMU gets a crack at Duke, D.J. Wagner, Baylor visits Hilton Coliseum
- NCAA considering allowing five years of eligibility for players in all sports
- BRACKET BREAKDOWN: Jan. 3rd
- The Breakfast Buffet: Brooks Barnhizer, Rutgers’ dynamic freshmen enter the fire, Illinois visits Oregon
- The Breakfast Buffet: UConn still needs more out of its sophomore class, Ian Jackson, UCF
