ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Eight teams descend upon the Boardwalk Hall with four spots in Saturday’s semi-final on the line. Pickin’ Splinters is court side with news, notes, updates and analysis. Grab a seat on the Pine and join in the discussion.
Leading off the day with the #1 Temple Owls pitted against the #8 UMass Minutemen.
Just over a week after one of the most exciting games in UMass-Temple history, the teams meet for the second time this season on Friday in the Quarterfinals of the 2012 Atlantic 10 Championship at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The UMass-Temple winner will advance to the semifinals and face the St. Bonaventure-Saint Joseph’s winner on Saturday.
The series with UMass and Temple has been one of the most intense in the history of the Atlantic 10 as the teams battle for the 64th time. Despite Temple winning the first 21 games in the series, UMass only trails the all-time series, 43-20.
Since the Minutemen won their first game in the series (65-52) on Feb. 16, 1992 at the Curry Hicks Cage in Amherst, UMass has won 20 of the last 42 games. Temple has captured the last three in the series – last week’s overtime thriller in Philadelphia, 90-88, the 2011 game in Amherst, 73-67 in overtime on Mar. 2, 2011 and the 2010 contest in Philadelphia, 76-64 on Jan. 13, 2010. UMass’ last win came in Amherst, 79-75 in 2009 for its first win in the series in three seasons.
Prior to 2008, UMass and Temple had played twice every season since the Owls joined the Atlantic 10 in 1982-83. Because of scheduling policies, the teams played just once in the regular-season this year, again.
After Temple led the series 21-0, UMass rebounded to win 13 of 15 contests from 1992-97, including two six-game win streaks. Since then the Owls have won 12 of 19 meetings, but UMass snapped Temple’s three-game series win streak in the series, at the Mullins Center with a 66-65 win on Jan. 24, 2004.
The Owls hold a 25-4 advantage for games played in Philadelphia at the Liacouras Center (12-1), McGonigle Hall (12-3) or the Palestra (1-0). UMass’ only win at the Liacouras Center came on Jan. 27, 2001, a 65-64 overtime victory. Temple has won eight home games in the series in a row.
The Minutemen have won three of the last four games at the Mullins Center, winning 88-77 on Jan. 13, 2007 and 60-34 on Jan. 21, 2006. That was the fewest points UMass allowed since 1950. Prior to that, Temple had won three straight including both games in 2004-05, by virtually the same score: 61-49 on Jan. 5, 2005 at UMass and 61-48 on Feb. 26, 2005 at Temple.
UMass is 13-5 all-time against Temple at the Mullins Center. The 18 games played against the Owls are the most UMass has played against any team since the building opened in 1993. The 13 wins are also the most by UMass against any team at the Mullins Center.
Temple enters the 2012 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship looking to win its fourth A-10 championship in the last five seasons. Temple has won seven A10 Championships in its history, the most by any conference school.
Temple has had more success in Atlantic 10 Championship play than any other conference member. The Owls have won more games (53), played in more semifinal games (26) and championship games (16) than any league member past or present. Temple has also won a record nine Atlantic 10 Championships (2010, 2009, 2008, 2001, 2000, 1990, 1988, 1987 and 1985). Only three times, in 2002, 2004 and 2007, has Temple failed to win at least one game in the A-10 Championship. Temple is 26-2 in quarterfinal games of the A-10 Championship. The Owls’ quarterfinal losses have come in 2002 (La Salle, 72-66) and 2004 (Richmond, 64-49).
Temple UMass
Overall 24-6 21-10
Conference 13-3 9-7
Home 11-1 15-1
Away 10-4 4-7
Points Per Game 76.2 76.6
Field Goal Percentage .472 .433
Three Point Percentage .402 .350
Free Throw Percentage .716 .675
Rebounds Per Game 34.9 39.5
Offensive Rebounds Per Game 10.4 13.2
Defensive Rebounds Per Game 24.5 26.3
Assists Per Game 15.5 16.0
Turnovers Per Game 12.2 15.2
Steals Per Game 7.1 8.7
Blocks Per Game 4.1 4.9
Fouls 529/17.6 633/20.4
Make sure to hit the refresh button.
PROBABLE STARTERS
TEMPLE (24-6)
32 Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson F 6-6 Jr. 9.1 ppg. 6.5 rpg.
50 Micheal Eric F 6-11 Gr. 9.2 ppg. 8.7 rpg.
4 Juan Fernandez G 6-4 Sr. 11.4 ppg. 3.8 apg.
1 Khalif Wyatt G 6-4 Jr. 17.1 ppg. 2.1 spg.
10 Ramon Moore G 6-4 Sr. 17.8 ppg. 3.5 apg.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MASSACHUSETTS (21-10)
34 Raphiael Putney F 6-9 Soph. 10.5 ppg. 5.7 rpg.
33 Terrell Vinson F 6-8 Jr. 9.4 ppg. 5.1 rpg
54 Sean Carter C 6-9 Sr. 7.8 ppg. 6.2 bpg.
3 Chaz Williams G 5-9 Soph. 16.4 ppg. 6.4 apg
5 Jesse Morgan G 6-5 Soph. 9.8 ppg. 2.5 apg.
When these two met on 2/29, the Owls made a living at the free throw line, making 30-of-40 compared to 6-of-10 for the Minutemen.
Per PhilaHoops.com: Wyatt was benched at start of GW game for being late to study hall…again, wyatt not starting today vs UMass due to lateness.
UMass currently is 1-2 is neutral site games in the 2011-12 season.
The Minutemen hit less than 35 percent from behind the arc, BUT the Minutemen used long-range jumpers to come back from 10 down to send the earlier game into overtime.
DiLeo starting in place of “Forces of Nature”…errrr…Wyatt.
We our first media TO: Game tied at 7.
Early on the Minutemen don’t seem to be phased by the #1 Temple Owls. Can we have an upset in Game 1?
Got a couple of quotes from Coach Dunphy, but I can’t repeat them.
I was ready to talk about the impact Jesse Morgan could have on the game. Then the UMass sophomore picked up his 2nd foul 5 minutes into the game.
U12 Media TO. Game is being played at furious pace.
UMass seems to be settling for the 3, while Temple is pounding the post. Currently the Owls have a 6-0 advantage with points in the paint.
Also.. Do not leave Juan Fernandez alone!! Straight butter.
After turning over the ball twice in the first four minutes, the Owls played the next five-plus minutes without a miscue.
UMass has gone inside to Sean Carter three times without anything to show for it. Michael Eric playing behind in the post making it difficult to shoot over the top.
Wyatt in the game for Temple.
I am starting to question Freddie Riley’s shot selection. Seems to shot early in the offensive set and has had a couple of bad looks.
Interesting stat: Temple has 11 field goals and 7 assists. All about sharing the ball.
The Owls continue to pound the ball in the paint, with a 8-2 edge inside.
U8 Media TO: Temple leads 26-20.
Chaz Williams just joined the scoring parade with his first 3 of the game.
6:33 left.
UMass continues to push Temple in transition always looking for the quick open shot.
Minutemen getting Chaz Williams open with ball screens at the top. The point guard is converting that into open looks for his teammates.
A noon start and we have a pretty nice crowd on hand. My guess is about 60% full.
Agreed on Williams. Temple definitely has to respect his ability to hit the three ball, allowing him to dribble penetrate and spread the wealth.
Temple leads 30-26.
Temple took and hit just one shot in the last 4 minutes: a baseline jumper Aaron Brown.
Halftime at Boardwalk Hall. Temple has a 36-31 lead as the teams head to their respective locker rooms.
Some interesting stats for you:
Temple still holds a significant 16-8 advantage in the paint.
UMass on the other hand has a 10-2 advantage in fast break points.
A definite key for the second half – UMass has to do a better job of rebounding. The Owls have a 21-15 advantage.
Surprisingly, Temple has as many assists as turnovers: 8. Credit UMass for getting up in passing lanes.
8-0 run by UMass to start half gets a TO from Temple. Jesse Morgan back in game counts for five of the points. He now has 10 in less than 8 minutes of playing time.
WOW! UMass run is now 12-0! Minutemen up 46-36.
Another timeout by Temple.
UMass is now on a 15-0 run to start the second half. Temple has not scored with 15:53 left in the second half and has looked out of sequence on the offensive side.
UMass press brings out another Temple TO. 4:17 played in second half, TU has called three timeouts and scored zero points.
U16 Media. Temple has 8 turnovers, used 3 timeouts and has zero.. yes zero points to start the second half.
UMass is 3 for 3 from long range.
At the 14:55 mark , Temple scores its first points of half on a Hollis-Jefferson rebound and putback off a Michael Eric miss.
UMass 46-38.
9:53 to go: UMass 57 Temple 54
A Fernandez three from the top of the key has given Temple a 4 point lead, 61-57.
Boardwalk Hall has become significantly louder!
7:13 Temple 61- UMass 57 – the Owls have outrebounded UMass 13-7 this half.
U4 TO (3:51) UMass 68 Temple 64
Williams has led an 11-3 UMass run with five points and two assists.
This would be a nice upset!
1:59 to play and the action is ferocious. UMass now leads 72-67 thanks to a pair of free throws by Vinson
40:6 seconds left and Chaz Williams hits 1 of 2. UMass now leads 73-69.
Down to the wire!!
Bucket by Wyatt and a quick TO by Temple. UMass leads 73-71 with 28.3 seconds
After a pair of free throws by Williams, Hollis-Jefferson misses a short jumper.
UMass free throws up 77-71. Upset City!!
Go Bonnies!
Bring on the Hawks!