Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE PICKED THIRD IN A-10 MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
11.3.05 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- Temple was picked to finish third in the new-look 14-team one-division Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Conference and senior All-America Candidate Mardy Collins was named to the preseason First Team all-conference squad The Owls received eight first place votes in a poll conducted among the league's coaches and a panel of media members.
George Washington (#24 USA Today/ESPN), the 2005 A-10 Champion, was the top choice in the poll with 38 first place votes among the 65 panelists followed by A-10 newcomer Charlotte (18 first place votes). Xavier was the fourth choice in the poll with Dayton, Saint Joseph's, Massachusetts, Fordham, Rhode Island, La Salle, Richmond, Duquesne, Saint Louis and St. Bonaventure.
Collins, who led the Owls in scoring (17.5 ppg.), rebounding (5.9 rpg.), assists (109), steals (85), three-pointers (48) and minutes played (37.6 mpg.), was also selected as a preseason all-defensive team member. Sophomore Mark Tyndale was named to the preseason all-conference second team while freshman guard Dionte Christmas represented the Cherry and White on the preseason all-rookie team.
Temple opens its season at the Liacouras Center against Army on November 15 (7:00 p.m.) in the NIT Season Tip-Off.
