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The Breakfast Buffet: Donovan Clingan, Jaxon Kohler’s return, Jonas Aidoo

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

Donovan Clingan’s production level is going to spike
That’s because his usage is going to go up as UConn plays higher quality competition with more regularity, starting with Friday’s showdown against Gonzaga in Seattle. The 7-3 sophomore has battled injuries to both his foot and toe during the first month of this season, but should eventually explode when he is 100 percent healthy and playing more minutes. Clingan averages 18.7 points in games where he attempts 10 or more shots. Remember: Clingan has never played expanded minutes during his career because last season he backed up Adama Sanogo — the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 NCAA Tournament — at center when he was a freshman. 

Jaxon Kohler’s return could be a big boost for Michigan State
There’s a lot of reasons why the Spartans are 4-5 after nine games. Michigan State has been a poor shooting team all season and is only making 29.5 percent of its shots from three-point range. Part of the reason for that is because the Spartans currently don’t have a low post option to draw double teams and open up cleaner looks for people on the perimeter. Kohler could change some of that when when he returns at some point this month from a foot injury. The 6-9, 245 pound sophomore isn’t Zach Randolph, but he’s good enough to catch the ball on the block and either make a move to the basket or get fouled. Currently, Michigan State’s two primary post players — Mady Sissoko and Carson Cooper — are averaging a combined 7.6 points. Expect Kohler — who averaged three points and 2.9 rebounds in 10.8 minutes last season — and freshman Xavier Booker to get a chance for minutes at center due to the lack of current production in the pivot. A school official told College Hoops Today on Wednesday that Kohler is expected to be back around Christmas. The Spartans will next play undefeated Baylor on Saturday at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit.

Jonas Aidoo is quietly playing the best basketball of his career
The 6-11 Aidoo is not the first person that people put in bold print when they’re preparing to play Tennessee, but he’s quickly working his way towards the front of the line. In his last three games, Aidoo is averaging 20 points and 8.7 rebounds, which was highlighted by a career-high 29 points in Tuesday night’s win over Georgia Southern. If this type of production continues, Aidoo could change the ceiling in Knoxville for the Vols, who are now 7-3 entering Saturday’s game against NC State in San Antonio.

On The Side

  • Houston’s game against Texas A&M on Saturday at the Toyota Center will be the Cougars’ toughest test so far this season. Kelvin Sampson’s team is 10-0 and has won nine games by double figures. Houston is only allowing an average of 49.7 points.
  • Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro has never shot less than 66 percent from the field during his four-year career.
  • San Diego State needs more out of Lamont Butler. Last season’s Final Four hero is averaging just 5.8 points during his last five games while shooting just 31.6 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range during that span.
  • Providence won’t play its next road game until Jan. 6th.
  • Grand Canyon currently has three Quad 1 wins. The only team in America with more is Purdue, who has four. Anarchy? Nope. Just college basketball.

Daily Specials

  • East Carolina/Florida
  • St. Thomas-Minnesota at Marquette
  • Jacksonville State at Wisconsin

Leftovers