Temple University Athletics
OWLS TO OPEN PLAY IN A-10 TOURNAMENT THURSDAY NIGHT
3.9.05 | Men's Basketball
CINCINNATI, OHIO - Temple enters the 2005 Atlantic 10 Tournament as the East Division's #2 seed. The Owls, with a 15-12 record, will take on Dayton, the #3 seed from the West Division Thursday night (8:30 p.m. approx./CN8/WPHT 1210 AM) in the quarterfinal round at the US Bank Arena. The Flyers defeated St. Bonaventure, 78-48, Wednesday night in an opening round game.
Dan Leibovitz will serve as Temple's acting coach throughout the A-10 Tournament. The Owls' top assistant has guided the team to a 2-1 record since replacing Hall of Fame coach John Chaney on the sidelines. Chaney, who was suspended by Temple University President David Adamany for the remainder of the regular season, issued a statement on February 28 that he will not coach the team during the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
All-America candidate Mardy Collins leads the Owls. The 6-6 point guard tops the Cherry and White in scoring (18.0 ppg.), rebounding (5.7 rpg.), assists (3.74 apg.) and steals (2.93 spg.). Freshman Mark Tyndale (12.3 ppg.) and sophomore Dustin Salisbery (10.8 ppg.) also average double figures for Temple. Junior Keith Butler (4.2 ppg./4.4 rpg.) and sophomore Wayne Marshall (7.0 ppg./4.9 rpg.) combine to solid numbers in the post while junior Antywane Robinson (7.7 ppg./4.7 rpg.) rounds out the starting rotation.
Temple has had more success in Atlantic 10 Tournament play than any other conference member. The Owls have won more games (40), played in more semifinal games (20) and championship games (13)than any league member past or present. Temple has also won a record six Atlantic 10 Tournament titles.
The Owls are 19-2 in A-10 quarterfinal round games, but fell last year to Richmond in the quarters.
Salisbery scored a career-high 27 points, hitting 9-of-11 field goal attempts, to lead Temple to a 78-70 win over Dayton at the Liacouras Center on February 9 in the regular season meeting.
