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
All eyes are on St. John’s/Arkansas
Rick Pitino and John Calipari have had several memorable games against each other in the NCAA Tournament and another one may be in the cards on Saturday afternoon at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The Red Storm are 31-4 and have had a season to remember under Pitino, but losing to Calipari and the Razorbacks prior to the second weekend of March Madness would be an unforgettable memory for a fan base that hasn’t been to the Sweet 16 since 1999. Arkansas may also get a boost with the return of Adou Thiero (15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds), who hasn’t played since Feb. 22nd due to a knee injury. Calipari told College Hoops Today on Friday that Thiero “could play” against St. John’s if he was able to practice. Tip off is at 2:40 PM ET on CBS.
McNeese takes aim at Purdue
Will Wade and the Cowboys stole the show on Thursday when the Cowboys beat Clemson in the Round of 64. Replicating that type of success will be significantly harder today against the Boilers, who have three starters back — Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn — from last season’s team that lost to UConn in the national title game. Winning a game in March Madness is an incredible story for any Cinderella. Winning two puts a program in an incredibly different stratosphere. Tip off is at 12:10 PM ET on CBS.
Coen Carr is a wildcard to monitor for Michigan State
The Spartans only led Bryant by five points at the half on Friday night, but Carr’s bounce, finishing ability, and tenacity helped break the game open in the second 20 minutes of the game. The 6-6 sophomore finished with 18 points and nine rebounds all while excelling as a small ball four-man. This is a dynamic to monitor moving forward for Michigan State, who will play New Mexico on Sunday in the Round of 32. Carr’s versatility allowed Tom Izzo to downshift against smaller and quicker opponents. He could be a big part of a potential run for the Spartans.
On The Side
- Duke is the only team from the ACC remaining in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
- Chris Beard has now won an NCAA Tournament game at four different programs — Ole Miss, Texas, Texas Tech, and Little Rock — since becoming a Division 1 head coach in 2015.
- Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard has tallied 53 assists in his last five games entering today’s Round of 32 matchup with Houston in Wichita.
- Four of Drake’s starters — Bennett Stirtz, Mitch Mascari, Isaiah Jackson, and Daniel Abreu — played Division II basketball last season. Today, they’ll play against Texas Tech for the right to go to the second weekend of March Madness. Anarchy? Nope. Just college basketball.
- Saint Mary’s has won at least one game in three of the past four NCAA Tournaments.
