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The Breakfast Buffet: Kentucky, Villanova looks mortal, Memphis/Tennessee

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

Kentucky needs more out of TyTy Washington against top tier competition
That means today against North Carolina (CBS, 5:30 PM ET) in the CBS Sports Classic. In the Wildcats’ two games against Duke and Notre Dame — the only two power conference teams that Kentucky (7-2) has played so far this season — Washington is averaging just 7.5 points while shooting 28.5 percent from the field. The 6-3 guard is averaging 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in total. Kentucky can’t compete for an SEC regular season title unless Washington emerges as an all-conference caliber player.

Villanova looks mortal
The Wildcats have now lost back-to-back games by an average of 20.5 points following Friday night’s 20-point defeat at Creighton. These types of things are not the norm for Villanova (7-4) under Jay Wright. This team’s lack of depth and a true rim protector both continue to be issues, as evidenced by the Bluejays’ ability to constantly attack the basket down the stretch on Friday as they got separation in the game’s final minutes. The Wildcats’ offense is also in a bad rhythm as Villanova is just 10-50 from three-point range during this two-game losing streak. It won’t get any easier for the Wildcats, whose next game will be against Xavier (10-1) on Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Memphis/Tennessee
Can Penny Hardaway and the Tigers ride the momentum of their massive win on Tuesday over Alabama and beat back-to-back SEC opponents? We’ll find out today in Nashville. Memphis looked every bit the part of an elite team in their win over the Crimson Tide, but beating a team as physical and sound defensively as Tennessee is a completely different animal. The Tigers were able to outscore Alabama — they’re going to have to out tough Tennessee. This is a completely different type of game for Memphis than it just played.

On The Side

  • Will Purdue get its offense back on track today against Butler in the Crossroads Classic? The Boilers are averaging just 75 points in their last two games after averaging 90.5 points in their first eight games of the season. That average of 75 points also has an asterisk: Purdue’s last game — a win over NC State — came in overtime. Over their last two games in regulation, the Boilers are averaging just 67 points.
  • Gonzaga’s game today against Texas Tech in Phoenix (1 PM ET, CBS) is the Bulldogs’ first tilt in nine days. Gonzaga’s game last Sunday against Washington was cancelled due to issues related to COVID-19. The Red Raiders are ranked seventh in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.
  • If Oregon (6-5) is going to salvage its season, beating top-ranked Baylor tonight at home would be a great place to start. The Ducks have never missed the postseason under Dana Altman, who has not had a losing record since the 95-96 season when he was the head coach at Creighton.
  • No team missed out more than Iona (9-2) during college basketball’s multiple COVID cancellations over the past few days. The Gaels’ scheduled game against Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden was the type of opportunity that could have legitimately pushed Rick Pitino’s team firmly into the at-large picture for the NCAA Tournament. Iona has already beaten Alabama and now will not get a chance to play an opponent of the Pirates’ caliber for the rest of the regular season.
  • Western Kentucky’s game against Louisville today in Bowling Green (3 PM ET, CBS) will be the first national showcase for the Hilltoppers’ Jamarion Sharp. The 7-5 big man is currently leading the nation in blocked shots at 4.9 per outing and has blocked six shots in each of his last two games. Sharp also averages 7.6 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Daily Specials

  • Tennessee/Memphis (Nashville)
  • Gonzaga/Texas Tech (Phoenix)
  • Kentucky/North Carolina (Las Vegas)
  • Providence at UConn
  • Baylor at Oregon

Leftovers