Temple University Athletics
MEN'S BASKETBALL PREPARES TO MEET RICHMOND IN A-10 TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL CONTEST THURSDAY IN DAYTON, OHIO
3.10.03 | Men's Basketball
Thursday's game is being produced by the Atlantic 10 Television Network and can be seen locally on Comcast SportsNet. It will be the 23rd Temple men's basketball game this season to be televised.
The Owls head into the A-10 Tournament with their 19-year (1984-2002) post-season appearance streak in jeopardy. If TU is unable to win the tourney and gain an automatic NCAA Tournament bid, it must at least make it to the championship game in order to ensure a .500 record to be eligible for selection into the National Invitation Tournament.
The Owls are coming off a 96-65 loss at No. 11 Xavier this past Saturday. Xavier shot 54.0 percent (27-50) from the field, including 53.8 percent (14-26) from behind the arc to snap the Owls' six game win streak, while extending its own win streak to 15 games. XU outscored TU, 56-31, in the second half after a tightly contested initial stanza that featured 10 lead changes and five ties. The Musketeers held a 26-9 advantage in assists while shooting an impressive 87.5 percent (28-32) from the charity stripe. Xavier attempted 23 more free throws than the Owls, who committed a season-high 25 fouls.
Richmond comes into the contest following a 75-62 home victory over La Salle last Saturday. UR is responsible for Xavier's only conference loss of the season, defeating the Musketeers, 67-59, in Cincinnati on Jan. 7. The Spiders would have hosted an A-10 opening round game on Monday but received a bye and entry into the quarterfinals due to the sanctions levied against St. Bonaventure.
