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
UConn begins what could be an extended stay at MSG
The Huskies’ game today against St. John’s (17-12) at The World’s Famous Arena (Noon ET, CBS) may not look like a major point of emphasis on their schedule, but it could be the beginning of what is a lengthy period for UConn on the island of Manhattan over the next five weeks. In addition to today’s game, Dan Hurley’s squad could play as many as three games in the Big East Tournament at MSG, which would mean that four of its next six games would be played at what has been an extension of this program’s home court because of its rabid fan base. You want more? The Huskies are trending towards being one of the top seeds in the East Region in the 2023 NCAA Tournament (they were a four seed in this week’s BRACKET BREAKDOWN), which means that they would play first and second round games in Albany and if they advance, Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games back at MSG. That means that if UConn were to win the Big East Tournament and reach the Final Four in Houston through the East Region, that six of its next 10 games would be played at The World’s Most Famous Arena. This is a similar path to what the Huskies enjoyed in 2014 — the last time they won the national title — when they played the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo and then the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight at MSG. This is ONLY February.
Round 2 between Indiana and Purdue
The Boilers can clinch at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title with a win today over their in-state rival at Mackey Arena. They’re also seeking revenge. Three weeks ago in Bloomington, Indiana edged Purdue by five as America was treated to a terrific duel between the sport’s two best players — Zach Edey and Trayce Jackson-Davis. The 7-4 Edey went for 33 points and 18 rebounds in the first meeting while Jackson-Davis tallied 25 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks. Expect Round 2 to be nothing short of spectacular.
Saint Mary’s aims for a championship
The Gaels have only won an outright WCC regular season title once under Randy Bennett — during the 2011-12 season. They can win a second one with a win tonight over Gonzaga (24-5) in Moraga. It will not be easy. After being a No. 1 seed in four of the last five NCAA Tournaments, the Bulldogs are a bit underrated this season. Gonzaga has won five straight games and still has two terrific players in Drew Timme (21.3 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Julian Strawther (15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds). Saint Mary’s (25-5) won the first meeting between these two teams on Feb. 4th in Moraga.
On The Side
- Gonzaga’s Nolan Hickman hasn’t had multiple turnovers in a game since Feb. 2nd.
- Texas’ four primary reserves — Sir’Jabari Rice, Christian Bishop, Brock Cunningham, and Arterio Morris — are averaging a combined 28.8 points. There’s not a better bench in college basketball.
- Miami (23-5) can win its second outright ACC regular season title under Jim Larranaga if it wins its final two regular season games, starting with today’s matchup with Florida State (8-20) in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes will close the regular season on March 4th at home against Pitt (20-8). Larranaga previously led Miami to an outright ACC regular season title during the 2012-13 season.
- Texas A&M’s Wade Taylor IV (15.9 points, 4.1 assists) is starting to separate himself as the best guard in the SEC. Taylor is just as important to Buzz Williams now as Justin Robinson was when he was the head coach at Virginia Tech and Junior Cadougan was when he was the head coach at Marquette.
- San Diego State’s overall team balance isn’t getting enough attention. The Aztecs currently have eight different players averaging 6.7 points and 13 points entering tonight’s game against New Mexico (20-8) in Albuquerque (10 PM ET, CBS Sports Network).
Daily Specials
- Texas at Baylor
- Arkansas at Alabama
- Virginia at North Carolina
- Indiana at Purdue
- Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga
Leftovers
- Florida, Miami finalizing agreement to meet this season in Jacksonville
- CBS Sports Podcast (6/16) — Minnesota’s Niko Medved
- Dayton, Florida State to begin home-and-home series
- Florida/TCU, Wisconsin/Providence to headline 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational
- Texas A&M, Florida State to start neutral site series in Tampa
