Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL TO BATTLE THE MINUTEMEN IN AMHERST, MASS.
2.6.03 | Men's Basketball
The Owls schedule is currently ranked as the 4th toughest in the nation according to the latest Sagarin ratings.
Temple and Massachusetts are meeting for the 49th time in a series that dates back to only 1983, when the two schools joined in the formation of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Owls hold a 32-16 advantage, winning nine of the last 12 meetings.
Temple is coming off its best performance of the season. The Owls raced out to an early 28-10 lead at St. Bonaventure and won going away, 96-77. The Owls shot a season best 35-for-61 from the field (.574) and 12-for-25 from beyond the arc (.480). Senior forward Alex Wesby, who earned back a year of eligibility by graduating this past summer, became the 40th player in Temple history to score 1,000 career points when he deposited 23. Wesby hit on a Temple season-high six three-point baskets in leading the Owls to their third win in four games. Temple placed five players in double-figures for the first time this season. The Owls' three true freshmen starters (Butler, Collins and Robinson) were 15-for-22 from the field while contributing 39 points and 26 rebounds.
Massachusetts comes into the contest following a 71-45 non-conference road defeat at Tennessee on Wednesday night. Trailing by nine at the half, the Minutemen tallied just 15 second half points while making just five baskets in the final twenty minutes. Micah Brand led UM with 14 points off the bench.
