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The Breakfast Buffet: Syracuse in a “win and in” scenario, Big East could be a three-bid league, Mark Williams emerging for Duke

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

Syracuse feels like it’s win a “win and in” scenario against Virginia
In what feels like an annual tradition, Syracuse will need to win a key game in its conference tournament to make the NCAA Tournament. Can Jim Boeheim’s team beat top-seeded Virginia later today in Greensboro? Absolutely, especially if it shoots the ball as well as it did on Wednesday against NC State. The Orange made 14 three-point shots against the Wolfpack, six of which came from Buddy Boeheim. Going “over the top” of Virginia’s defense will be a major key in whether or not Syracuse will be victorious against the Cavaliers. The Orange already own wins this season over Virginia Tech, Clemson, and North Carolina. One more big victory should put this team into the NCAA Tournament.

The Big East could be a three-bid league on Selection Sunday
Xavier didn’t do this conference any favors by losing to Butler on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. The Musketeers are very much on the bubble and that means that only three teams from the Big East — Villanova, Creighton, and UConn — are locks to hear their names called on Selection Sunday. It will be interesting to see if a bid stealer can emerge over the next few days at the World’s Most Famous Arena.

Mark Williams is on the verge of stardom
This wasn’t productivity — it was sheer dominance. The Blue Devils’ 7-foot freshman had 23 points and 19 rebounds in Wednesday’s win over Louisville and is visibly improving each and every time he takes the floor. Built like an adonis, Williams is starting to impose his will on opponents. During his last five games, the talented center is averaging 16.4 points and 7.6 rebounds. Duke will face Florida State on Thursday in Greensboro. 

The Mountain West Tournament should be great fun
I’m not just writing that because I work for CBS Sports — it’s a fact. This league has had a bounce back season and did so without two of its best brands — New Mexico and UNLV — leading the way. Four different teams from the Mountain West — San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State — are all very much in the mix for the NCAA Tournament and a fifth — Nevada — has the best guard in the league in Grant Sherfield. You won’t want to miss the next few days in Las Vegas. 

Rick Pitino is two wins away from the NCAA Tournament
The Hall-of-Famer took down top-seeded Siena in Wednesday’s MAAC Tournament in what was a brilliant defensive performance from tip to finish. The Saints entered the game averaging 68.6 points, but only scored 52 against Iona — that’s vintage Pitino. The Gaels’ administration opted to make this hire 12 months ago to give Pitino a re-entry point to college basketball and also become nationally relevant. The latter will happen at an incredibly high level if Pitino can lead Iona to two more victories.

Leftovers: