Setting: Atlantic 10 powers collide when Fran Dunphy’s Temple Owls (13-4/ 3-1) descend upon the Cintas Center for a tilt with Chris Mack’s Xavier Musketeers (12-5/ 4-0).
Flashback: Ryan Brooks scored 22 as the Owls defeated the Musketeers 77-72 last January at the Liacouras Center.
Dunphy has taken Temple to “The Dance” each of the last three seasons. The Owls have punched 28 invitations to the NCAA tournament. Xavier has earned 21 NCAA Tournament berths, including last year’s Sweet Sixteen run and Elite Eight showings in 2008 and 2004. The Muskies have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen each of the last three seasons.
Foreshadowing: Thirty-three Owls have gone on to represent the Cherry and White in the National Basketball Association. Seventeen Musketeers have played in the National Basketball Association, including current stars Derrick Brown, Jordan Crawford, James Posey and David West.
TEMPLE-XAVIER COMPARISON
TU XU
68.9 Points Per Game 70.8
59.4 Opponents Points Per Game 65.5
+9.5 Point Differential +5.3
.448 Field Goal Percentage .454
.392 Field Goal Percentage Defense .405
4.8 3PT Per Game 5.4
.307 3PT Percentage .319
.331 Opp. 3PT Percentage .318
.681 Free Throw Percentage .746
36.2 Rebounds Per Game 34.5
+3.6 Rebound Margin +2.2
14.1 Assists Per Game 12.8
7.6 Steals Per Game 5.8
5.0 Blocks Per Game 3.1
12.2 Turnovers Per Game 12.3
+2.5 Turnover Margin +0.6
Temple, Xavier meet with much at stake
Tip-off is 3 p.m. Game is televised on ESPN 2. Please add to the conversation.
Ahhhh, this one is on ESPN!!
Looking forward to watch Holloway and if he can follow up Wednesday’s performance with another solid game against a tough Temple team!
Interesting matchups:
1) Tu Holloway versus Dunphy’s man-to-man. I’m worried about how good Holloway is at taking games into his own hands. However, he showed some flaws at Cincy that prove size down low can cause problems when he goes to basket. Lavoy Allen and Michael Eric will provide some serious length.
2) McLean versus Allen. I’m impressed with McLean and feel the oppsite with Allen. After originally wanting to enter the NBA draft, Temple’s Allen opted to return for his senior season. His stats are down across the board and most siginificantly in his FG% and rebounds. He’s usually been a ball-hawk on the glass but his stats aren’t quite near the expectations many have had of him.
Rey – Temple matches up out of the zone quite often – right?
I can’t speak as of late because they haven’t been on TV much, but earlier in the year they would for a few possessions a half.
That will be an interesting challenge for Xavier. Old Dominion matched-up out of the zone earlier this year, and XU succumbed. Add to that Temple’s stingy man-to-man, and Holloway’s patience will be tested.
A little side-note or subplot or what-have-you: NC State will almost definitely get rid of Sidney Lowe at the end of this season. Chris Mack’s name is one of four names being shouted across radio waves in the Tar Heel state at this time.
I would be IMMENSELY surprised if Mack was to leave Xavier.
Yes, Smitty this one is on ESPN. 🙂
Watch Ramone Moore today for Temple. Junoir guard who has been filling it up as of late. Even at Dequesne recently when Temple couldn’t hit anything for an 11-minute stretch, Moore was able to still shoot 7-11 against an Owls team obviously struggling for any rythm.
I’ve been impressed with Moore in the past.
Fernandez only played 20 minutes in the Duquesne loss. Because of injury right?
Yes. Been nursing a knee injury this whole month.
An injury to Fernandez can contribute to an 11-minute drought.
Scootie Randall 8, Xavier 14
They are flat out attacking Fernandez. Maybe that’s why the bigs for Temple are showing so much on pick-and-rolls where Hernandez is guarding the ball because they know he’ll won’t get there quick enough.
Scootie Randall is a one-man offesne right now. Nice head fake and step-under to get that shot off.
Xavier looks quicker defensively right now. Temple is getting caught on simple pin-down screens and Musketeer guards doing well getting in the middle.
How much does Michael Eric bench press? The over/under has to be 135 lbs.
Wow – I love Rahlir Jefferson. He is ten times more physical than any other posts for the Owls. Too bad he’s only 6’6″.
9 threes so far combined.
Xavier hitting 3s two games in a row bodes well for the rest of the season. They have struggled from behind the arc without Brad Redford. Perhaps they have figured out what they need to do.
Scootie Randall – an early POTW candidate?
Looks like it
Ramone Moore, please report to The Cintas Center. Ramone Moore you are needed in the The Cintas Center.
Re: Xavier’s 3s – Temple has been going under those ball screens. Good job by #10 and Holloway steeping back and shooting. And looks like Dunphy is sending #10s man to double McLean in the post everytime. Doesn’t make sense with the size the Owls have; the announcers have even pointed out that Allen is one of the better post defenders.
Michael Eric has missed 3 offensive putbacks. Goodness gracious.
Temple shooting 8-14 from 3 and Xavier 5-7 from beyond the arc. Who can make the halftime adjustment to limit the other team’s looks?
Chris Mack said after the Bona: “We are not a 58% team from behind the arc.”
I guess he’s right. They’re 62.5% right now.
Xavier’s interior defense is doing a yeoman’s job for the second game in a row. They limited the A10’s leading scorer, Andrew Nicholson, to 13.
Holloway has only taken 3 shots thus far. The exact same number of attempts he had at break Wednesday night.
What’s up with Xavier’s shade of blue today? Almost Carolina-inspired blue.
I can’t remember the last game I’ve watched with this many 3’s made. It’s been a very exciting, fast-paced game. Thank God for ESPN3 online!!
Re: Holloway. So basically Dunphy should be relaying to his team that Holloway is liable to go off here in second half?
I think Xavier is wearing retro unis to honor Brian Grant whose uniform was retired at halftime.
Great call by Dunphy to start second half. Drew something up to get his scorer, Moore, going.
And Holloway is wearing high tops which he hasn’t done all year.
I don’t know if Holloway will go off, but his game is maturing. He is more willing to let the game come to him.
Classic zone problem: Temple goes with the 3-2 and makes Holloway take a deep 3 and he misses, neither post identifies a man to box out and Xavier soars over top for the putback.
Hate to disrupt the flow, but A&M just keeps on rolling! When is BYU v SDSU?
Rhalir Jefferson is a smart player. Holds his position backside and creates easy passing lane for Fernandez on reversal. I like this kid.
Pete: Wednesday night
Wow! What a relocation by McLean and Jackson.
Pete – SDSU@BYU – Wednesday.
Whoa – Lyons was ready to rip the rim down with that one.
That is a great example of when he gets carried away with the emotion of the game.
Holy crap – how many 3s have gone down?
Combined 21 of 35
Check that 19 of 35
Two bad breaks for Temple. That ball was off Lyons and that miss defied gravity.
And now they foul with 4 seconds left on shot clock. And Holloway of all people.
It is not often you hear an announcer use the “numb between the ears” call.