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The Breakfast Buffet: Villanova/Purdue, Jaden Ivey, Ben Mathurin

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

Villanova/Purdue is a Final Four caliber game
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Who needs the NFL? Sunday’s Hall-of-Fame Tip off title game at Mohegan Sun features a fascinating matchup between two of college basketball’s top programs. Both Villanova and Purdue earned decisive wins on Saturday against Tennessee and North Carolina respectively, setting up a clash that could very well be played again in New Orleans during the first week of April. The big thing to monitor in this game is whether or not the Wildcats’ interior defense will be able to contain the Boilers’ two-headed monster of Zach Edey and Trevion Williams at the front of the rim. Villanova has only blocked five shots as a team in five games this season.

Jaden Ivey is playing like a first-team All-American
The 6-4 sophomore displayed the completeness of his game in Saturday’s 93-84 win over North Carolina as he finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Armed with cheetah like speed in the open floor, Ivey broke the game open late in the second half against thanks to his ability to get to the rim with elite velocity while also setting up his teammates. Ivey isn’t one of Purdue’s primary point guards, but he’s proving more and more that he can set the table for others in an effortless manner. Through four games this season, Ivey is averaging 17 points, 7.3 rebounds, and four assists.

Ben Mathurin could become a national name by Monday morning
Arizona’s super sophomore was sensational in the Wildcats’ OT win on Friday night against Wichita State, finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds in what was this program’s first significant non-conference tilt under Tommy Lloyd. The stakes will get higher in Sunday night’s matchup with Michigan in title game of the Roman Main Event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 6-6 Mathurin showed flashes of brilliance last season, but now looks primed to be one of the top players in the Pac-12. A ridiculous athlete, this Canada native has the talent and ability to captivate an audience quickly. Don’t be shocked if tonight’s game against the Wolverines is the type of platform needed to fully push him onto the national radar.

On The Side

  • North Carolina’s R.J. Davis is a completely different player as a sophomore. The New York native is averaging 14 points and has 19 assists this season to just six turnovers. Davis averaged 8.4 points last year as a freshman.
  • Shaka Smart was 2-1 against Mark Schmidt in Atlantic 10 play while he was at VCU. Tonight, the two former competitors will square off in the title game of the Charleston Classic as Marquette takes on St. Bonaventure. This feels like an 8/9 game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
  • Colgate’s 100-85 win over Syracuse on Saturday snapped a 54-year losing streak for the Raiders against the Orange.
  • The sleeper game of the day in college basketball is in the Virgin Islands as Creighton takes on Colorado State in the Paradise Jam. The Rams look like the top team in the Mountain West. This is another quality non-conference opportunity for the Big East.
  • The Atlantic 10 has now lost a total of 11 buy games this season. Three of them occurred on Saturday. Yikes!

Daily Specials

  • Villanova/Purdue (Mohegan Sun)
  • North Carolina/Tennessee (Mohegan Sun)
  • Colorado State/Creighton (Virgin Islands)
  • St. Bonaventure/Marquette (Charleston)
  • Arizona/Michigan (Las Vegas)

Leftovers