Temple University Athletics
Weekly Watch: Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas in the Atlantic 10
12.14.08 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2008
*Story courtesy of Andy Katz, ESPN.comTo beat Tennessee, Temple needed Dionte Christmas to be something special. He scored 35 points on 12-of-22 shooting and nailed 7 of 14 from the 3-point line. Christmas must be an elite performer throughout the season if the Owls are to get back to the NCAAs. He can be the premier player in the league if he maintains his average of 21 points per game and continues to lead the Owls to wins.
Temple lost to Clemson in Charleston, S.C.; at Buffalo (ask Connecticut how tough that is); and to one of the tougher defensive teams in the country in Miami (Ohio). Christmas struggled in that game, going 3-of-12. He wasn't needed as much in a win over Penn State in which he went 1-of-7 for just two points. But for an elite win against the Vols -- a win that can have serious shelf life -- Christmas had to raise his game, and he did. He delivered on the big stage when it mattered most. Now he needs to make that kind of effort a regular occurrence, not just a highlight. The rest of the starting rotation this week:
2. A.J. Abrams, Sr., Texas: Abrams was sensational in a win over Villanova in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, registering 26 points (including four 3s), four assists and one steal. In an eight-point win over Texas State in which he played all 40 minutes, Abrams tossed out 30 points and made 11 of 12 free throws as one of the few consistent performers in what, by the Longhorns' standards, was a bit of a lackluster effort.
3. Booker Woodfox, Sr., Creighton: The Bluejays picked up two key victories, winning at Saint Joseph's and then beating Dayton in impressive fashion. Woodfox was instrumental in both wins, scoring 29 points in 27 minutes against the Hawks and 21 points in 23 minutes against the Flyers. The senior guard should get strong consideration for conference player of the year.
4. Jordan Hill, Jr., Arizona: Hill is turning into quite a performer around the basket, enjoying a monster game in a huge Arizona win over San Diego State. He played all 40 minutes, scored 25 points, grabbed 14 boards and was 8-of-14 from the field. He also hit 9 of 12 from the free-throw line and recorded six blocks. Hill's emergence, more than anything else on this team, is making Arizona a real threat to keep that streak of 24 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances alive.
5. Lazar Hayward, Jr., Marquette: The Golden Eagles' guards -- Jerel McNeal, Dominic James and Wesley Matthews -- get much of the credit, and they should. But Marquette isn't going to go far without Hayward inside. Hayward scored 19 points, grabbed 18 boards and blocked a shot in a win over IPFW.
