Temple University Athletics
Men's Basketball To Take on Two-Time Champ Florida Saturday
12.26.07 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 26, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Temple will make its second trip to the Orange Bowl Classic in the last four years when it takes on two-time defending National Champion Florida Saturday (6:30 p.m./1210 AM WPHT) at the BankAtlantic Center. The Owls' other appearance in the one-game showcase came at the 2003 Orange Bowl Classic, a 72-66 loss to Miami. The Hurricanes will take on Winthrop in the first game of this year's doubleheader. The game will be available via DirecTV (channel 634), DISH, Fox College Sports (cable) and ESPN Full Court.
The Owls, under the direction of second-year head coach Fran Dunphy, moved their record above .500 (6-5) for the first time this season with a 58-55 win over Eastern Michigan on December 22. Senior co-captain Mark Tyndale, who ranks second on the team in scoring (15.5 ppg.) and rebounding (6.5 rpg.), drained a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds to play to give the Cherry and White its early Christmas present. Junior Dionte Christmas, the reigning Atlantic 10 Conference co-Player of the Year, continues to pace TU, averaging 19.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. Sophomore Ryan Brooks provides a spark off the bench, ranking third on the squad in scoring with a 9.2 average. Temple has won four of its last five games with the lone loss (101-93) being at the hands of #16/18 Villanova on December 9.
Florida, under the direction of 11th year head coach Billy Donovan, saw its six-game win streak come to an end with a 62-49 loss at Ohio State. It was the first trip outside their home state for the Gators, who have posted an 11-2 mark despite losing five starters from last year's championship team.. Florida is led by Nick Calathes, (14.8 ppg., 5.6 apg., 23 steals), who's brother, Pat, is a senior guard at A-10 rival Saint Joseph's. Sophomore Marreese Speights (13.4 ppg., 7.4 rpg., 20 blocks) and freshman Chandler Parsons 10.2 ppg.) also average double figures for a balanced Gator attack that outscores opponents by a 20.9 margin.
Temple leads the all-time series with Florida, 4-1, but the Gators won the last meeting, 72-64, in the first round of the 2001 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic held at Madison Square Garden.
