College Hoops Today

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The Breakfast Buffet: Oscar Tshiebwe, Xavier/Creighton, Keyontae Johnson/Florida

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

Oscar Tshiebwe is in position to have a massive game against Kansas
The reigning National Player of the Year may explode like a volcano tonight at Rupp Arena. During the Wildcats’ current four-game winning streak, the 6-9 Tshiebwe is averaging 18.5 points and 16.8 rebounds. His competition tonight in the pivot — K.J. Adams (10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds) — has had a terrific season so far for the Jayhawks, but he’s only 6-7. That opens the door for Tshiebwe to have a monster game and put on a show in one of the marquee matchups in today’s Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Xavier/Creighton is appointment TV
Like offense? If so, then you’ll love this matchup today in Omaha. The first meeting between these two teams this season happened a few weeks ago at the Cintas Center and was essentially was a 40-minute shootout, which the Musketeers won 90-87. Don’t be shocked if today’s game has a similar pace. Xavier is coming off a dramatic three-point win at UConn and is now 17-4 overall while Creighton is 12-8, but 12-5 with Ryan Kalkbrenner (15 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) in the lineup. Tip off for this game is at 12:15 PM ET on CBS. A salute to my friends Andrew Catalon and Steve Lappas, who will be on the call and have this delightful assignment.

Keyontae Johnson faces his former team
This storyline is getting swept under the rug a bit entering today’s Big 12/SEC Challenge, but it presents a fascinating dynamic. Johnson — who was named one of College Hoops Today’s second-team All-Americans earlier this week — spent the first few seasons of his college career at Florida before transferring to Kansas State (17-3), where he’s been a major part of one of the great stories in college basketball. Johnson’s own personal story is one of the great stories in all of sports — not just college basketball — as he’s returned to the game in grand fashion after sitting out the past few years due to a heart issue. The 6-8 forward is averaging 18.3 points and 7.5 rebounds entering today’s game against the Gators in the Octagon of Doom. Florida (12-8) has won five of its last six tilts and is seeking a major victory today on the road.

On The Side

  • Tonight’s game between Texas and Tennessee in Knoxville is a “full circle moment” for Rodney Terry. The Longhorns’ acting head coach worked as an assistant for Vols coach Rick Barnes at Texas from 2001-11 prior to becoming the head coach of Fresno State. Tonight’s matchup is one of the marquee games in this weekend’s Big 12/SEC Challenge.
  • Houston’s Jamal Shead has 18 assists and just four turnovers in his last three games. The Cougars will host Cincinnati today at the Fertitta Center. Tip off is at 2:15 PM ET on CBS.
  • Iowa State’s Gabe Kalscheur has already made 39 three-point shots this season. He made 40 during all of last year. The 6-4 Kalscheur is also shooting 35.8 percent from long distance after shooting less than 25 percent from three-point range in each of the past two seasons. This is quietly one of the most improved players in the Big 12.
  • Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett told College Hoops Today this week that the Gaels’ arduous non-conference schedule had a major hand in his team’s 18-4 start. “We found out who we were early and what we needed to work on,” Bennett said. Saint Mary’s four losses this season have come by a combined 15 points. The Gaels are in sole possession of first place in the WCC and will face BYU tonight in Provo.
  • The Postseason NIT will be even less of a consolation prize moving forward for teams who don’t make the NCAA Tournament since the semifinals and finals are no longer being played at Madison Square Garden. The showcase games of this event will be played in Las Vegas this season and in Indianapolis in 2023-24.

Daily Specials

  • Xavier at Creighton
  • Alabama at Oklahoma
  • Arkansas at Baylor
  • Texas at Tennnessee
  • Kansas at Kentucky

Leftovers