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The Breakfast Buffet: Villanova-St. John’s has a “big game feel”, Shakeel Moore, Alabama/Texas A&M

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-St. John’s has a “big game feel”
Maybe it’s because the Wildcats’ win on Wednesday night over UConn was their biggest in the Kyle Neptune era. Maybe it’s because the Red Storm are now being coached by Rick Pitino. Or maybe it’s just simply because a Big East game on a Saturday night in January at MSG sounds more delicious than the best piece of cheesecake that anyone has ever sampled at Junior’s. Either way, tonight’s game at the World’s Most Famous Arena should be all sorts of fun. Villanova took a step towards returning to the NCAA Tournament picture by beating the two-time defending national champions on earlier this week while St. John’s may be the sport’s least appreciated team. Remember: The Red Storm are 13-3, but those three defeats came by only a combined five points. Tip off is at 7 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.

Alabama/Texas A&M
Many people — including myself — felt that the Crimson Tide were the top team in the sport entering this season. They’re playing that way thus far in SEC play. Alabama has won its first two league contests by an average of 24 points and has won seven straight games since falling to Oregon in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving Weekend. The Aggies though, are no slouch. Buzz Williams’ squad has won seven straight games and still has not lost a game this season with a full roster. Tonight’s game in College Station may have lost a little bit of luster when the SEC Injury Report announced on Friday night that Texas A&M star Wade Taylor IV (15.7 points, 4.8 assists) will be out with an undisclosed injury, but the Aggies were still good enough to come back and beat Oklahoma in Norman earlier this week without him. Keep an eye on Zhuric Phelps (14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds), a transfer from SMU who had 34 points against the Sooners.

Shakeel Moore has changed Kansas
Bill Self’s decision to insert Moore into the Jayhawks’ starting lineup has drastically altered this team’s complexion. A transfer from Mississippi State, the 6-1 lefty can really pressure the ball on defense and is a seamless fit on offense alongside Dajuan Harris. Through two games as a starter, Moore is averaging 7.0 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Both of those games have been double figure wins for Kansas. The Jayhawks will return to action today at Fifth Third Arena against Cincinnati.

On The Side

  • John Calipari is 0-2 in conference play for the first time in his Hall-of-Fame career entering Arkansas’ game today against Florida at Bud Walton Arena.
  • Indiana’s Oumar Ballo is thriving with fellow big man Malik Reneau out of the lineup with a knee injury. In the three games that Reneau has missed, the 7-1 Ballo has averaged 21.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. The Hoosiers have won five straight games entering tonight’s game at Iowa. 
  • Kentucky has not lost a regular season game to Mississippi State since Feb. 3rd, 2009. The Wildcats have won nine straight meetings in Starkville, where the two programs will meet head-to-head tonight.
  • Louisville will take a five-game winning streak into today’s matchup at Pitt. The Cardinals have to continue to maximize their opportunities in ACC play to make the NCAA Tournament as they have no more remaining regular season games against Duke, Clemson, and North Carolina.
  • Four of Arizona’s next six games are in Tucson, starting with tonight’s tilt against UCF. The two road games during that span? At Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Don’t be shocked if Tommy Lloyd’s squad — who has won five straight games — goes on a bit of a run in January.

Daily Specials

  • Iowa State at Texas Tech
  • UConn at Georgetown
  • Villanova at St. John’s
  • Alabama at Texas A&M
  • Kentucky at Mississippi State

Leftovers