College Hoops Today

Serving College Basketball 365 Days a Year

The Breakfast Buffet: Florida gets a crack at Tennessee, Ishmael Leggett, Michigan/UCLA

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

Florida gets a crack at Tennessee
Just three days after the Gators scored 100 points at Rupp Arena and lost to Kentucky by six they’ll get an opportunity to be the first team this season to beat the Vols. It will not be easy. Aside from a two-point win at Illinois in December, Tennessee has dominated its opponents, winning 13 of its first 14 games by double figures. Florida though, proved just how capable it is on Saturday by the way that it played on the road in Lexington. Keep a close eye on the Gators’ perimeter of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard, who combined for 68 points against Kentucky.

Ishmael Leggett leads Pitt into Cameron Indoor Stadium
Not familar with Leggett? You may be after tonight. We’ve seen many players in college basketball over the past few years thrive as COVID seniors and Leggett is the latest to join the party. After spending the first three years of his college career at Rhode Island, the 6-3 guard has found a home with the Panthers and is currently playing like one of the best guards in the ACC. Leggett enters tonight’s game at Duke averaging career-highs in points (17.8), rebounds (6.1), assists (2.7), and steals (1.7). He’s had a major hand in Pitt’s 12-2 start this season under Jeff Capel.

Michigan/UCLA
Two of the best brands in college sports do battle at Pauley Pavilion in the first-ever Big Ten meeting between these two storied programs. The Wolverines have scored 75 or more points in eight of their last nine games and are averaging 79 points in three conference games. The Bruins meanwhile, are an elite defensive team, but are coming off a loss on Saturday at Nebraska where they shot just 4-28 from three-point range and played without two of their key front court pieces in Eric Dailey (11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds) and William Kyle (4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds). UCLA won’t be able to outscore Michigan and needs as many options up front as possible to contain the Wolverines’ power forward/center combo of Danny Wolf (12.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists) and Vlad Goldin (13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds). This is a critical game for Mick Cronin’s team, who’s coming off a loss and will next visit Maryland on Friday following tonight’s game in Westwood.

On The Side

  • Is Aidan Mahaney quietly turning a corner for UConn? The transfer from Saint Mary’s had 15 points off the bench in Sunday’s win over Providence and is averaging 9.7 points in the Huskies’ last three games. This is a situation to closely monitor in Storrs.  
  • Iowa is allowing an average of 91.4 points in five games this season against power conference opponents entering tonight’s matchup with Nebraska in Iowa City.
  • Want to trade places with Rodney Terry this week? After losing its SEC opener on Saturday at Texas A&M, Texas will host Auburn tonight and then Tennessee on Saturday. Yikes!
  • Xavier’s last five losses have come by an average of 4.0 points. The Musketeers are 9-6 and are desperate for a breakthrough win entering tonight’s clash with St. John’s at the Cintas Center.
  • Utah State’s Jerrod Calhoun was this week’s guest on the College Hoops Today Podcast.

Daily Specials

  • Tennessee at Florida
  • Pitt at Duke
  • Kentucky at Georgia
  • Auburn at Texas
  • Michigan at UCLA

Leftovers