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The Breakfast Buffet: MaCio Teague, Loyola Chicago’s shooting, Memphis’ at-large chances

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

MaCio Teague made a statement against Texas Tech
Baylor has two All-Americans — Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell — in its starting backcourt. It would be foolish though, to forget about the Bears’ other starter on the perimeter. Just ask Chris Beard. MaCio Teague scored 35 points in Sunday’s 88-73 win over Texas Tech and was an astronomical 10-12 from three-point range. He also scored 19 on 12 shots and was 2-3 from three-point range in Thursday’s win over Oklahoma State. Butler and Mitchell are terrific, but Teague also continues to prove that he’s more than capable of carrying this team when it’s necessary. Baylor has regained its vintage form.

Loyola Chicago’s ceiling will hinge on its shot making ability 
The Ramblers’ defense has been exceptional all season, but something was different about its offense in Sunday’s Arch Madness title game win over Drake. Loyola Chicago made shots from deep and it made them at a high percentage. Porter Moser’s club came into Sunday’s game averaging seven made three-point shots while shooting 36 percent from long distance. Against Drake, it made 10 shots from three-point range and shot 59 percent from deep. If you don’t think that makes a big difference, he’s a little history lesson: VCU went to the Final Four in 2011 by averaging 12 made three-point shots during the NCAA Tournament. The Rams averaged 8.3 made three-point shots during the regular season.

Memphis’ at-large hopes are officially over
March can be cruel. Just ask Penny Hardaway. Just seconds after the Tigers tied things up late in regulation on Sunday against Houston, Tramon Mark won the game for the Cougars at the buzzer with a half court heave that went in off the glass. The loss cost Memphis a golden opportunity to bolster its standing for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The good news? The Tigers are more than capable of winning the American Athletic Conference Tournament later this week, which would put them in position to earn an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday. 

Colbey Ross is the name to watch at the WCC Tournament
Never heard of Ross? You may very shortly. Pepperdine’s star guard leads the Waves against BYU tonight in the semifinals of the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas. The two teams split meetings during the regular season. The 6-1 Ross was third in the WCC in scoring (18.3) this season behind Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert and Drew Timme. He was also first in assists (7.7). 

The MAAC should have never shifted its title game away from the Monday of Championship Week
I have never understood this decision. Instead of owning the first night of Championship Week, the MAAC decided a few years ago to play for a title later in the week when most power conferences are in the middle of their league tournaments. It never made any sense, regardless of what the circumstances were. Having a standalone window early in the month of March is precious for a mid-major league. The MAAC may find this out the hard way over the next few years.

Leftovers: