Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ENTERS 2005-06 SEASON WITH FIRST EVER PRESEASON TOP 25 RANKING
11.3.05 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA-
Arguably one of the best players in Temple women's basketball history, Dupree led the Owls and was amongst the leaders in the A-10 in scoring (16.3 ppg), rebounding (9.1 rpg), blocks (65), steals (70) and field goal percentage (54%) last season. A 2004-05 Honorable Mention All-American, the Atlantic 10 and Big Five Player of the Year and the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Dupree was named to the A-10 and Big Five First Teams and became just the second player in Conference history to earn back-to-back Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament honors. She also tallied a league-leading 14 double-doubles on her way to scoring her 1,000th career point. Not an extremely vocal player, Dupree leads by example with her smooth style of play drawing comparisons to NBA star Tim Duncan.
"Candice has been an outstanding player for us," Head Coach Dawn Staley said. "She's talented, she plays hard and she continues to improve every day. Her experience as a three-year starter coupled with her experience this past summer with USA Basketball should prove to be very valuable in big games this season."
Temple returns three starters from last season in seniors Dupree and Jennifer Owens and junior Kamesha Hairston, but will have to fill two large gaps left by the graduation of Cynthia Jordan and Ari Moore. The duo finished as the winningest class in Temple women's basketball history, compiling 83 wins and three Atlantic 10 titles in four years.
Sixth year Coach Staley was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year for the second straight year, as well as the Big Five Coach of the Year for the third time in five years last season. After leading her team to its best season in school history, Staley also earned a Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Regional Coach of the Year Award for Region 1. As if all of that wasn't enough, Staley became the fastest coach in Temple women's basketball history to reach the 100 win plateau. She reached the milestone in the team's win over Xavier in the semifinal round of the A-10 Tournament. She currently boasts an impressive 102-51 career coaching record.
The Owls will once again face tough competition in non-conference play, squaring off against three teams that are ranked in the Top 10 this season. Temple will play host to SEC powerhouses Tennessee, Georgia and Florida and travel to New Brunswick, N.J. for a rematch with Rutgers. 2005-06 play opens with a trip to Oregon where the Owls will take on Michigan and the winner of the University of Oregon and St. Francis game in the Women's Sports Foundation/University of Oregon Tournament, November 11-12.
After ending the 2004-05 season with a first-ever Top 25 ranking, the Temple women's basketball team will begin the 2005-06 season with a first-ever Top 25 Preseason ranking. ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll ranked Temple #20 and the Women's Basketball News Service projected the Owls to begin right around where they left, in the #16 spot.Street & Smith's has ranked the Owls #19, while Lindy's Magazine has placed Temple in the #23 position.Temple finished last season ranked #15 in the AP Poll and #18 in ESPN/USA Today's voting.Senior All-America candidate Candice Dupree has also earned preseason accolades, with spots on the Street & Smith's, The Wooden Award and The State Farm Wade Trophy "Players To Watch" lists. She was also voted First Team All-America by the Women's Basketball News Service.
