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The Breakfast Buffet: Dusty May and Brian Dutcher have already joined a special group, Wooga Poplar, Donovan Clingan

Here’s today’s installment of “The Breakfast Buffet”, the morning column 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

Dusty May and Brian Dutcher have already joined a special group
Being a head coach that’s led a team to the Final Four is special. Being a head coach that’s led a team to a Final Four out of a mid-major conference is beyond special. Regardless of what happens on Saturday when Florida Atlantic plays San Diego State (6:07 PM ET, CBS), both May and Dutcher have cemented their places as two of a select few that’s led a mid-major program to the sport’s ultimate showcase. The others in this special group? Jim Larranaga — who led George Mason to the Final Four in 2006 before taking his current post at Miami — as well as Porter Moser (Loyola Chicago), Brad Stevens (Butler), Shaka Smart (VCU), Gregg Marshall (Wichita State), Mark Few (Gonzaga), and Jerry Tarkanian (UNLV).

Wooga Poplar is an X-Factor to watch for Miami
When Poplar plays well, so do the Hurricanes. He’s played better than well in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-5 sophomore is averaging 12 points in his last four games and had 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Elite Eight against Texas. Poplar is also shooting 19-36 from the field in the NCAA Tournament. Miami is 11-2 this season in games where he scores in double figures.

Donovan Clingan is the unsung presence in the 2023 Final Four
It’s tough to hide someone who’s 7-2, but UConn’s dominance in the NCAA Tournament has made certain people not properly acknowledge Clingan’s massive impact. That’s a colossal mistake. When you really dissect things, Clingan is a volcano that’s ready to explode. The freshman big man is averaging 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in just 12.5 minutes during the NCAA Tournament. That means that if Clingan played around 25 minutes, he’d be averaging approximately 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks. Don’t let anyone fool you; this kid could be the difference as to whether or not the Huskies win the 2023 national title.

On The Side

  • Miami lost three starters — Charlie Moore, Kam McGusty, and Sam Waardenburg — from last year’s team that reached the Elite Eight and still made the Final Four.
  • UConn has never lost a Final Four game at full strength. The Huskies’ only loss in the event came to Michigan State in 2009 about two months after Jerome Dyson — UConn’s starting shooting guard — was lost for the season due to a torn meniscus.
  • Florida Atlantic is 11-1 this season in games decided by five points or fewer.
  • San Diego State is allowing an average of 55.8 points during its current eight-game winning streak. The Aztecs haven’t allowed an opponent to score more than 70 points since Feb. 25th.
  • My biggest takeaway from viewing the Postseason NIT this week in Las Vegas? Move the event back to New York ASAP!

Leftovers