GETTING INSIDE
The A-10’s biggest surprise team thus far has to be Temple.
After losing three starters, most notably perimeter scoring ace Dionte Christmas from last year’s NCAA tournament team, most experts expected the Owls to be an A-10 afterthought this winter.
Instead, the Owls are nationally ranked for the first time since 2001.
Temple’s 9-2 start, the program’s best since 1993-94, includes signature victories s over then-No. 3 and previously undefeated Villanova on Dec. 13 as well as victories over name-brand programs Siena, Virginia Tech, Penn State and Seton Hall.
The Owls’ losses both came against Big East programs Georgetown, 46-45, on Nov. 17, a game that Owls could have won with better free throw shooting down the stretch, and to St. John’s, 55-48, on Nov. 28.
Since that loss to the Red Storm at the Palestra, Temple has played great basketball in winning four consecutive games.
The victory over Villanova is the type of that gets programs into the NCAA Field of 65. But the Owls have other opportunities to impress the NCAA selection committee, most notably, at home against No. 1 Kansas on Jan. 2.
The Owls are in the top five in the RPI on merit. They are third in the country in scoring defense at 55.1 points per game and fourth in three-point percentage defense at 23.9 percent.
Temple is not deep, but is smart, has terrific wing players Juan Fernandez and Ryan Brooks, and the Owls willingly share the ball, making them tough to defend.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Temple is in the top 10 nationally in three key categories. The Owls are third in scoring defense at 55.1 points per game, have the fourth-fewest turnovers at 10.2 per game and are fourth in three-point percentage defense 23.9 percent.
• Temple’s offense features three double-figure scorers, 6-4 senior Ryan Brooks at 15.2 points per game, 6-4 sophomore Juan Fernandez at 13.5 and 6-9 junior Lavoy Allen at 11.5.
January At A Glance: After starting January by having the nation’s top team, Kansas, visit the Liacouras Center on Jan. 2, the Owls face plenty of other stiff tests during. There are trips to Rhode Island on Jan. 10 and Charlotte on Jan. 27, plus home games vs. St. Joseph’s on Jan. 6, UMass on Jan. 16, Xavier on Jan. 20 and La Salle on Jan. 30.
Quote To Note: “Fran (Dunphy) has that team playing at a very high level. They play great defense and they are so unselfish at the offensive end.”—Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez, after his team fell to Temple on Dec. 19.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: Defense has been key for Temple over the first 11 games. The Owls are in the top five nationally in scoring defense at 55.1 points per game and three-point percentage defense 23.9 percent. Led by its suffocating defense, Temple has started the season with an 9-2 mark against a rugged non-conference slate, including victories over Villanova, Seton Hall, Siena, Penn State and Virginia Tech. As a result, they are ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2001.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—F Lavoy Allen, F Craig Williams, G Ryan Brooks, G Juan Fernandez, G Juan Guzman. Key Subs—C Micheal Eric, G Ramone Moore, F Rahlir Jefferson.
Game Review:
Temple 64, Miami (Ohio) 42
Temple 75, Villanova 65
Temple 71, Seton Hall 65
Game Preview:
Vs. Bowling Green, Monday, Dec. 28
At Northern Illinois, Wednesday, Dec. 30
Vs. Kansas, Saturday, Jan. 2
Vs. Saint Joseph’s, Wednesday, Jan. 6
At Rhode Island, Sunday, Jan. 10
In Focus: Temple is exactly where it want to be right now, near the top of the RPI charts. The key will be keeping an eye on the ball and not tripping up against one of the two MAC teams that they face, Bowling Green and Northern Illinois, because they are looking ahead to a visit from top-ranked Kansas on Jan. 2.
Roster Report:
• Fran Dunphy signed two high school stars during the early signing period, 6-4 guard Aaron Brown, a three-year starter from national prep powerhouse St. Benedict’s Prep School in Newark, N.J., and 6-9 Anthony Lee from West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Fla.
• Sophomore forward Micheal Eric re-injured his left knee in Temple’s victory over Villanova on Dec. 12. Eric is listed as day-to-day and if he is unavailable, look for junior forward Craig Williams to make his sixth start of the season vs. Bowling Green on Dec. 28.
• Senior swingman Ryan Brooks, who is averaging 15.2 points per game, might be the A-10’s most underrated player. In addition to leading the Owls in scoring, Brooks is a lock-down defender who never shies away from guarding the opponent’s top perimeter threat.
• Junior forward Lavoy Allen is averaging 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He looks noticeably stronger physically, thanks to some arduous work in the weight room during the off-season.
