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The Breakfast Buffet: John Blackwell, Tennessee is in position to be a number one seed, Clemson

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.

Things To Sample

John Blackwell is the key to Wisconsin reaching a different level
I’m well aware that John Tonje (19.5 points, 4.9 rebounds) is the likely Big Ten Player of the Year, but Blackwell’s ascension is the thing that could really take the Badgers to another level over the next month. Greg Gard’s team is 11-2 this season in games where the 6-4 Blackwell scores 15 or more points entering today’s matchup with Michigan State in East Lansing (1:30 PM ET, CBS). He’s coming off a 24-point, 10-rebound performance earlier this week against Washington. There’s not a more underrated guard in college basketball.

Tennessee is in position to be a number one seed for the first time ever
Jahmai Mashack’s buzzer beater from just inside of half court on Saturday gave the Vols an improbable three-point win over Alabama in Knoxville. It also put Tennessee in position to usurp the Crimson Tide for a number one seed on Selection Sunday. There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played —- especially with the SEC Tournament set to provide teams with a plethora of Quad 1 opportunities — but the Vols are now in position to earn their highest seed ever in March Madness. As today, Tennessee and Alabama both have 10 Quad 1 victories.

The golden era of Clemson basketball is upon us
Take the pictures and put them away because there’s never been a better time to be a fan of the Tigers. On the heels of last season’s run to the Elite Eight, Brad Brownell has led Clemson to a 24-5 record and what will likely be a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. A run to the second weekend of March Madness feels like it’s more than a legitimate possibility. The Tigers have never been to the Sweet 16 in back-to-back seasons.

On The Side.

  • It’s time for Houston’s administration to name the court at the Fertitta Center after Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars have won outright back-to-back Big 12 regular season titles in their first two seasons in the conference. Who saw that coming two years ago?
  • Mark Pope announced on Saturday that Kentucky’s Jaxson Robinson (13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds) will have wrist surgery next week and will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season. This is a major blow to the Wildcats’ perimeter depth. Remember: Kentucky also hasn’t had Kerr Kriisa (4.4 points) available since Dec. 7th due to a foot injury.
  • Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (knee) currently does not have a timetable for a return, a school spokesman told College Hoops Today on Saturday. The 6-6 guard averages 11.8 points and suffered the injury in Tuesday’s win at Miami. This is major storyline to monitor between now and Selection Sunday.
  • Kansas has lost 10 or more games in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever under Bill Self.
  • Today’s game between Memphis and UAB could be a preview on the American Athletic Conference Tournament title game. Keep an eye on the matchup in the middle between Tigers big man Dain Dainja (13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds) and the Blazers’ Yaxel Lendeborg (17.6 points, 10.9 rebounds).

Daily Specials

  • Wisconsin at Michigan State
  • Illinois at Michigan
  • Memphis at UAB

Leftovers