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The Breakfast Buffet: Herb Jones, Virginia Tech’s big opportunity, Big Ten depth

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

Herb Jones steps to the forefront against Kentucky
People from the periphery may not be completely familiar with Jones’ game, but that will change after tonight at Rupp Arena. Alabama’s most unique and indispensable player officially steps to the national forefront tonight as the Crimson Tide — who have won five straight — travel to Lexington to face Kentucky. The 6-8 lefty has thrived in a point forward role for Alabama, regularly setting the table for his teammates while also exerting his will when the time is appropriate. In Alabama’s last three games, Jones is averaging 15.3 points, seven rebounds, and 2.7 steals. Think another Stacey Augmon.

Virginia Tech has a massive opportunity against Duke
Opportunities like the one the Hokies have tonight in Blacksburg simply don’t come along very often in life. Virginia Tech (9-2) has been the surprise team in the ACC to start the season, highlighted by a win over Villanova at Mohegan Sun. It can add another major victory to its resume tonight against the Blue Devils. Duke has won three straight since losing to Illinois in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in early December.  

The Big Ten’s depth continues to be reiterated
Maryland is currently in 12th place in this conference and has road wins at both Wisconsin and Illinois. Penn State is currently in 13th place and lost games at Indiana and Michigan by a combined six points. I’ll say it again: the depth of the Big Ten is going to be a major topic that will last all the way to Selection Sunday. The old Big East put 11 teams into the NCAA Tournament 10 years ago in 2011; can the Big Ten usurp that total this season? We’ll find out in time.

On The Side

  • Michigan (10-0) has won four straight games by double figures entering tonight’s game against Wisconsin in Ann Arbor. Two of the Wolverines’ starters — Mike Smith and Hunter Dickinson — are going against the Badgers for the first time. This will be the toughest opponent that Michigan has faced this season.
  • UCLA currently has six different players averaging between 8.1 PPG and 12.8 PPG. This doesn’t include Chris Smith, who was averaging 12.6 PPG before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The strength of this team is their team. The Bruins are currently 9-2 overall and undefeated in Pac-12 play. 
  • Tyrese Martin is becoming UConn’s version of Robin to James Bouknight as Batman. The Rhode Island transfer had 18 points in Monday night’s win over DePaul and is averaging 13.8 points and eight rebounds over his last four games. The Huskies are now 7-1. 
  • The least talked about aspect of Luka Garza this season? His three-point accuracy. Iowa’s All-American big man is currently shooting 48.9% from long distance. Garza shot 35.8% last season from three-point range.
  • Wednesday night’s tilt between Wichita State at Tulsa is one of the more underrated games of the week in college basketball. Both teams are 7-3 overall and look like they have the requisites to be the second-best team in the American Athletic Conference behind Houston.

Daily Specials

  • Tennessee at Vanderbilt
  • Wisconsin at Michigan
  • Duke at Virginia Tech
  • Kansas at Oklahoma State
  • Alabama at Kentucky

Leftovers: