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The Breakfast Buffet: Villanova’s return, Justin Champagnie, Alabama/LSU

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’s return to action
The Wildcats haven’t played a game since Dec. 23rd due to multiple COVID-19 pauses, but will return to the court tonight at home against Seton Hall (9-6). Villanova (8-1) should have a decisive advantage against the Pirates at point guard thanks to Collin Gillespie, who has only committed a total of one turnover in his last 95 minutes. “He’s a stone cold killer,” Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said of the 6-3 Gillespie on Monday. Willard also said that Seton Hall’s starting point guard Bryce AIken is unlikely to play against the Wildcats due to an ankle injury, but should hopefully return to the Pirates’ lineup for Friday’s game at Butler. 

Justin Champagnie could be a national name by tomorrow
Hardcore college basketball junkies know all about this 6-6 forward, but people from the periphery may still need an introduction. That may happen tonight if Pitt (7-2) can improve to 8-2 with a win over Duke (5-3) at home. Champagnie enters tonight’s game averaging 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds; he already has had two games this season with 20 or more points and 20 or more rebounds. This isn’t a vintage year for the Blue Devils, but when you’re trying to build a program like Jeff Capel is at Pitt, any game against Duke presents a massive opportunity to gain national relevance.

Alabama’s trip to LSU
Two of the SEC’s top brands finally meet in a big game that doesn’t begin with a kickoff. Nate Oats’ has transformed Alabama (11-3) into one of college basketball’s best two-way teams while LSU (10-2) is still searching for a signature win. It can get one tonight if it beats the Crimson Tide in Baton Rouge. Will Wade’s team is as gifted offensively as any unit in the sport, but is still a ways away from being competent defensively. The Tigers have given up 76 or more points in four of their past five games. If LSU doesn’t buckle down on defense against Alabama, the Crimson Tide could easily score 100 and push their winning streak to eight. 

On The Side

  • Both of UConn’s losses have come at home and both have been a result of poor free throw shooting. The Huskies were just 15-23 as a team in Monday’s four-point loss to St. John’s and missed two shots down a point in the game’s final minute. UConn also missed two free throws with a two-point lead in the final seconds of regulation earlier this season versus Creighton and wound up losing the game in overtime.
  • A.J. Lawson is on a tear for South Carolina. The 6-6 junior is averaging 25.7 points over his last three games and has officially emerged as the Gamecocks’ go-to scorer. After nearly topping LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday, South Carolina visits Missouri tonight in Columbia.
  • Colorado State will officially have a chance to step into the national focus during its next four games. The Rams begin a two-game series tonight at Utah State and then will host Boise State for two games next week in Fort Collins. Niko Medved’s squad enters tonight’s tilt in Logan at 10-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play. Tip off is at 9 PM ET on CBS Sports Network. 
  • Monday’s AP Top 25 did not include Duke, Kentucky, or North Carolina for the first time since 1961. There’s a legitimate chance that none of the three play in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. 
  • Florida State has the best roster in the ACC. The Seminoles beat North Carolina on Saturday without Scottie Barnes and dominated Louisville on Monday night at the KFC Yum Center without Anthony Polite. Leonard Hamilton has depth on top of depth.

Daily Specials

  • Purdue at Ohio State
  • Maryland at Michigan
  • Seton Hall at Villanova
  • Tennessee at Florida
  • Alabama at LSU

Leftovers: