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
Will Richardson has changed Oregon’s ceiling
The Ducks are 10-2 since Richardson returned to the lineup in early February and will enter this week’s Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas as one of the hottest teams in the sport. The 6-5 junior is averaging 11 points, 2.8 rebounds, and three assists all while forming a lethal backcourt combination with Chris Duarte. Many people forgot that Richardson was projected to be one of the best players in the Pac-12 prior to the start of this season. They know now.
Justin Moore’s injury opens the door for St. John’s and Seton Hall
Jay Wright announced on Monday night that Moore is doubtful to play in this week’s Big East Tournament for Villanova because of a severe ankle sprain. That opens the door for both St. John’s and Seton Hall. The winner of Thursday’s game between the Red Storm and the Pirates will play either Villanova or the winner of Wednesday’s game between Georgetown and Marquette on Friday night in the semifinals. With Moore injured, the door is open for either St. John’s or Seton Hall to emerge as a bid stealer this week at Madison Square Garden.
Isaiah Miller could be a star in the NCAA Tournament
The main reason why UNC Greensboro could be the double digit seed that nobody wants to play in the Round of 64? This guy. NBA scouts have been studying the 6-foot Miller for years and when you watch him play you can see why. He dominated Monday night’s SOCON title game against Mercer, finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Miller is the real deal.
Bryant can finish what it started
Jared Grasso can complete a massive three-year turnaround in Smithfield if the Bulldogs beat Mount St. Mary’s tonight in the NEC title game. Bryant won just three games during the 2017-18 season prior to Grasso’s arrival. The 40-year head coach was the top assistant under Tim Cluess at Iona from 2010-18 when the Gaels advanced to five NCAA Tournaments and two NITs in an eight-year span.
Rick Pitino’s first postseason game at Iona
Iona hasn’t played a game since Feb. 20th following a pause due to COVID-19 and has only played 13 total tilts this season. It doesn’t have the look of a team that could be a dangerous mid-major in the NCAA Tournament. But the Gaels are still coached by Rick Pitino and that alone makes today’s game against Quinnipiac in the MAAC Tournament an interesting one to track. This is Pitino’s first postseason game in college basketball since Louisville lost to Michigan in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
