College Hoops Today

Serving College Basketball 365 Days a Year

The Breakfast Buffet: Eric Dixon, Kentucky/Missouri, New Mexico’s 12-0 start is about more than its backcourt

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

Eric Dixon is a major key for Villanova against UConn
The Huskies’ two-headed monster of Adama Sanogo and Donovan Clingan at center makes it essentially impossible for opponents to generate any offense at the front of rim. That’s why Dixon’s ability to be a threat facing the basket is so critical to the Wildcats’ chances in tonight’s matchup at the XL Center in Hartford. The 6-8 junior is currently shooting 38.8 percent from three-point range and has already attempted more shots from long distance (49) than he did during all of season (35). If Dixon can go over the top of UConn’s defense, it will open things up for guys like Caleb Daniels, Brandon Slater, and Cam Whitmore to get easier opportunities to score. The Huskies have won all 13 of their games this season by double figures.

Kentucky/Missouri
Are the Wildcats ready to make their normal post-Christmas jump under John Calipari? Are the Tigers really a threat to reach the NCAA Tournament in their first season under Dennis Gates or was last week’s 22-point win over Illinois an aberration? These are some of the questions that will be answered tonight in Columbia. Missouri does not have a defensive presence in the paint to counter Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, who enters tonight’s game averaging 15 points and 13 rebounds.

New Mexico’s 12-0 start is about much more than its backcourt
Jaelen House (16.4 points, 5.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds) and Jamal Mashburn Jr. (16.8 points, 3.3 rebounds) have been as good as advertised for Richard Pitino on the perimeter, but the real difference between the Lobos this season and last season is up front. Two players who weren’t in New Mexico’s program a year ago — Josiah Allick (Kansas City) and Morris Udeze (Wichita State) — have created a formidable power forward/center combination in the Lobos’ starting lineup. Allick and Udeze are currently averaging a combined 26.8 points and 15.5 rebounds. New Mexico returns to action tonight at home against Colorado State. Tip off is at 9 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.

On The Side

  • Alabama is averaging 83.7 points. Mississippi State is allowing an average of 52.6 points. Something’s gotta give when the two teams meet tonight in Starkville.
  • Since joining the Big East, Xavier is 14-5 against St. John’s entering tonight’s game at Carnesecca Arena.
  • Texas has 73 assists on 101 made field goals in its last three games.
  • Northwestern’s Matthew Nicholson has quietly made a major impact since being inserted into the Wildcats’ starting lineup. The 7-foot junior is averaging eight points, 7.3 rebounds, and 0.75 blocks in his last four games, which included a victory over Michigan State in East Lansing. Remember the name.
  • Tonight’s game between Auburn and Florida is the first ever head-to-head meeting between Bruce Pearl and Todd Golden. Golden worked for Pearl as an assistant at Auburn from 2014-16 before leaving for San Francisco, where he became the Dons’ head coach in 2019.

Daily Specials

  • Villanova at UConn
  • Kentucky at Missouri
  • Alabama at Mississippi State
  • Arkansas at LSU
  • Xavier at St. John’s

Leftovers