Temple University Athletics
Men's Basketball Opens New Year with #7/9 Duke At Wachovia Center Wednesday
1.6.08 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - After a 10-day break, the Temple men's basketball team opens its 2008 schedule Wednesday with a game against #7/9 Duke (7:00 p.m./ESPN/1210 AM WPHT). The Owls (6-6) will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Blue Devils (11-1) and post their first win over a Top 10 non-conference foe since defeating #10 Indiana, 71-64, on December 28, 2002. Purchase Tickets
Junior Dionte Christmas continues to lead second-year head coach Fran Dunphy's Cherry and White. The 6-5 guard tops the Atlantic 10 Conference in scoring with a 20.9 average and is coming off a season-high-tying 32 points against Florida in the Orange Bowl Classic on December 29. Christmas also leads the Owls in rebounding (6.5 rpg.) and three-pointers (38) while playing an A-10 high 37.2 minutes per game.
Senior Mark Tyndale, part of Temple's famed one-two punch, is second on the team and 14th in the A-10 in scoring at 14.5 points per game. The 6-5 guard leads TU in assists (35) and steals (22) while ranking second in rebounding (6.2 rpg.). Super sub Ryan Brooks ranks third on the Owls in scoring (8.8 ppg.) while freshman forward Lavoy Allen (8.7 ppg./5.1 rpg.) tops the team in field goal percentage (.571).
The Blue Devils, under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, have four players scoring in double digits, led by senior guard DeMarcus Nelson (13.8 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 37 assists). Sophomore forward Gerald Henderson (13.3 ppg.), a graduate of nearby Episcopal Academy, is tied with Nelson for team rebound honors while freshman forward Kyle Singer, is second on the team in scoring with a 13.4 average. Junior Greg Paulus (8.5 ppg., 40 assists) provides veteran leadership in the backcourt while sophomore guard Jon Scheyer averages 10.7 points per game off the bench.
Duke is the sixth highest scoring team in the nation with an 86.3 points per game and has outscored its opponents by a 23.0 margin (2nd nationally). The Blue Devils are one of the deepest teams in the country, with nine players averaging double-figure minutes
