Temple vs. Western Michigan Preview

Well, if this was football, this would be a conference matchup, but with Temple being in the A-10 for basketball and the MAC for football, this is just another out of conference game for both teams. Both teams come into this game with 2 losses a piece, but Temple has the advantage in wins with 4, while Western Michigan sits at .500 with a 2-2 record. The Owls are coming off a disappointing loss last Saturday against St. John's, a game in which they should have won, but too many mistakes ended up backfiring on them. On the other hand, Western Michigan is coming into this game with an impressive win over Holy Cross. So what team will come out victorious in this one? That's what I'm for, to help break down the game to give you all a better understanding of what may occur when these two teams step on the court.

What To Expect From Western Michigan

The Broncos tend to spread the ball around to set up their scoring chances. Guard David Kool leads the team with 18.8 points per game, but he will look for his teammate Martelle McLemore to take the pressure off of him. McLemore puts up around 14 points per game, while bringing in 7 rebounds per game. The Broncos are filled with young, talented players, and have already shown glimpses of a bright future to come.

The Broncos are not a three point shooting team, instead they rely on passing the ball around in hope of getting the open look. This could cause problems for the aggressive Temple defense. Western Michigan also has a very talented defender, Donald Lawson, who leads the team in steals (7) and blocks (7). Expect to see a lot of Lawson defensively when Temple has the rock.

The Final Projection

Temple should be able to get good looks offensively, and as long as they can play their style of defense, they definitely can take this game with ease.

Temple 78 - Western Michigan 60

Bernard Pierce For Heisman?

Okay, maybe that's a little too much. But you can not disagree that Pierce isn't the main reason for Temple's sudden success in college
football. Of course, the Heisman won't be going to Bernard Pierce...at least this year.

The Freshman Running Back, or as Temple fans prefer, "The Freshman Phenom", has emerged as one of the top Half Backs in all of college football. Who would have guessed that Temple would land such a top talent? Well, whatever the case, Pierce is making a mark in Temple's football program, and since he's only a Freshman, he is just beginning his glorious career as an Owl.

On the season, Pierce has compiled 1,308 yards, which ranks him among the top in the nation. The young back has carried the rock 224 times, and has scored on 15 of these touches. These are some amazing numbers for a Freshman, let alone a Freshman who wasn't even expected to get anywhere near the numbers he has so far. But these numbers aren't even the best he could have done. The 6'0", 212 pound back missed the last two games for Temple, one of which was a loss. Had Pierce suited up for last week's game against Ohio, things may have turned out differently.

The season is still not over for Temple, for the first time since 1979, Temple will be participating in a postseason bowl game. The most likely destination for Temple is in the International Bowl, and their opponent is still to be determined. Pierce still has time to build upon his phenomenal numbers thus far, and hopefully gain more confidence for the future.

Bernard Pierce's Key Stats

Attempts: 224
Rushing Yards: 1,308
Receptions: 5
Receiving Yards: 6
TD's: 15
Fumbles: 0

Temple Loses Final Game of Philly Hoop Group Classic to St. Johns 55-48

In the final game of the Philly hoop group classic the Temple Owls were ice cold in a losing effort to St. Johns. Temple shot 28% from the floor and 21% from behind the arc. Temples leading scorer was Ramone Moore who had 10 points on 3-13 shooting. Lavoy Allen and Rahlir Jefferson added 9 points each. Perhaps the defining moment offensively for temple was when Ramone Moore had a fast break opportunity and got intentionally fouled under the basket. He got two shots and temple got the ball back. However Moore missed both free throws and Temple missed their shot on the possession following the free throws.

St Johns however had slightly better luck shooting 33% from the floor and 27% from behind the arc. They also out rebounded Temple by 1. The St. Johns offense was led by DJ Kennedy who scored 15 points and converted all 9 attempts from the free throw line. Dwight Hardy also scored double digits adding 11. He was 3-6 from the field and 2-5 from behind the arc. He also converted all 3 attempts from the free throw line.

Temples biggest problem was fouls. Temple committed 23 fouls between 7 people. 23 fouls is the most committed by Temple since December 22 of last year vs Long Beach State. St. Johns shot 30 free throws making 20 of them. That turned out to be 36% of St. Johns offense. Many of the fouls committed by Temple were little bumps or fouls away from the basket. They led to easy points for St. Johns. Three temple players had 4 fouls and 3 more Owls had 3 fouls each. The Temple defense was much sloppier in the game which led to St. Johns scoring easy points on Temple. This could have been due to the fact that their 6'11" forward Michael Eric missed his 2nd consecutive game with a right knee sprain. The Owls lacked a good rebounder to help Lavoy and Craig Williams,and both couldn't make up for Eric's rebounding or shot blocking ability.

Sloppy passing was another factor in the game. Temple committed 14 turnovers and St. Johns committed 17 turnovers. This led to easy lay ups for their opponent at the other end.

All in all it was a very sloppy game where the winner came down to who could make the most of the opportunities they got. That turned out to be St. Johns who shot better and made 20 free throws.

Temple now falls to 4-2 on the year. Their next opponent is at Western Michigan on Tuesday December 1st. Temple needs to regroup and forget about this game as fast as possible. Go Owls!