Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL PREPARES TO MEET THE STATE RIVAL NITTANY LIONS WEDNESDAY EVENING AT THE BRYCE JORDAN CENTER
12.9.02 | Men's Basketball
Temple Head Coach John Chaney was admitted to Temple University Hospital on Sunday, Dec. 8 with a mild case of pneumonia and will remain hospitalized at least through Tuesday, Dec. 10. Should Chaney be unavailable for Wednesday' s game, the Owls will be coached by first assistant Nate Blackwell, assisted by Dan Leibovitz and Bill Ellerbee.
For the first time on North Broad Street, Chaney has three true freshmen in the starting lineup in forward Antywane Robinson, guard Maurice Collins and center Keith Butler. Only once before under Chaney has Temple started three first-year players, which happened during the 1996-97 season when freshmen Pepe Sanchez and Lamont Barnes started along side first-year sophomore Rasheed Brokenborough to help lead TU to a 20-11 record and an NCAA Tournament berth.
The Owls are coming off a 71-46 loss to Penn in a Philadelphia Big 5 contest last Saturday night at The Palestra. The 25-point loss marked Temple's worst loss in a Big 5 game since suffering a 88-59 defeat to Saint Joseph's at The Palestra on February 19, 1983. It was also the Owls worst defeat in 54 meetings with the Quakers. Penn shot an impressive 52.9 percent (27-51), including 55.6 percent (15-27) from three-point range. The Owls struggled from the field, shooting just 32.7 percent (16-49) overall and 18.2 percent (4-22) from behind the arc.
Penn State is also winless after a 80-62 home loss to No. 4 Pittsburgh last Saturday. Junior guard Sharif Chambliss leads the Nittany Lions with a 14.2 ppg. scoring average.
