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
Johni Broome continues to make his case for National Player of the Year
Auburn’s star big man had 19 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in Saturday’s road win at Alabama. The 94-85 road victory was huge for the Tigers, but it was also huge for the 6-9 Broome, who continues to perform at an elite level against top flight competition. Remember: The SEC had 13 teams projected to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament in Saturday’s Bracket Reveal on CBS and the ACC — where Duke’s Cooper Flagg (19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists) plays — only had four projected to make the bracket. That’s a stark contrast in terms of level of competition. Broome and Flagg have separated themselves from the rest of college basketball as the top two players in the sport, but Broome’s production level against significantly better competition reiterates why as of today, he should be the National Player of the Year.
JT Toppin has exploded like a volcano
And he’s firmly put himself in the discussion for Big 12 Player of the Year honors. The 6-9 Toppin missed the majority of December due to an injury, but he’s now currently playing better than most front court players in the sport. In Texas Tech’s last three games, Toppin is averaging a whopping 31.3 points and 13.3 rebounds. He’s also had at least 16 points and 14 rebounds in four of his last nine games. A star is emerging in Lubbock.
St. John’s is officially playing for seeding in the NCAA Tournament
The Red Storm were a four seed in the East Region in Saturday’s Bracket Reveal on CBS and that means that every single game that this team plays until Selection Sunday — starting with today’s tilt against Creighton at MSG — is beyond critical. If St. John’s earns a top four seed in the East Region it will then play first and second round games at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. Should it advance past those two rounds, Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games would then follow at the Prudential Center in Newark. Every game matters in college basketball, but the next several games really matter for Rick Pitino and St. John’s, who would have a major geographic advantage if it remains a top four seed in the East Region.
On The Side
- Maryland is shooting over eight percent better from three-point range than it did a year ago entering today’s game against Iowa in College Park. The Terps currently have three players — Rodney Rice, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and Selton Miguel — who have already made at least 50 three-point shots this season and all three are currently shooting 36.8 percent or better from three-point range.
- Louisville’s Terrence Edwards is averaging 21.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in his last five games. Keep a close eye on this guy over the final month of the regular season. Pat Kelsey’s squad will go for its fourth straight win tonight at Notre Dame.
- The sleeper game of the day is in the Mountain West as New Mexico hosts Utah State. The Lobos currently have a one-game lead in the conference standings over the Aggies and are seeking their first outright Mountain West regular season title since the 2012-13 season.
- Drake will take an 11-game winning streak into today’s game against Bradley. Everyone in college basketball knew that Ben McCollum would be really good in his first year in Division 1 head coach, but he’s clearly usurping those initial expectations.
- Wisconsin’s John Tonje is 29-of-60 from three-point range in his last seven games. That’s 48.3 percent. Ridiculous!
Daily Specials
- Memphis at Wichita State
- Michigan at Ohio State
- Creighton at St. John’s
- Utah State at New Mexico
- Iowa at Maryland
