Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Virginia Tech
Men's Basketball To Take On Virginia Tech Friday At The Palestra
11.25.09 | Men's Basketball
Owls bring 3-1 mark to weekend Philly Hoop Group games
PHILADELPHIA - Temple will travel to The Palestra Thanksgiving weekend to take part in the Philly Hoop Group Classic. The Owls will take on Virginia Tech on Friday (8:00 p.m./TNCP/1210 AM WPHT) and then conclude the four-game tournament with St. John's Saturday (8:30 p.m./1210 AM WPHT).
The Owls (3-1) have won both of their games so far in the Classic, defeating Delaware (76-56) on the road in their season opener, before topping Siena (73-69) in their home opener. Senior co-captain Ryan Brooks leads Temple in scoring (15.8 ppg.). Sophomore Juan Fernandez also boasts a double-figure scoring average (13.0 ppg.) while junior Lavoy Allen, a preseason first team All-Atlantic 10 selection, is averaging a double-double (11.3 ppg./11.3 rpg.)
Defense has been the key to the Owls early start. Temple is holding opponents to 54.2 points per game. Teams are shooting just 39.0 percent from the field and just 22.2% from 3-point range.
Virginia Tech comes into the weekend with a perfect 3-0 mark, defeating Brown (69-55, Nov. 15) in its only other Philly Hoop Group Classic game. Junior guard Malcolm Delaney, a preseason all-ACC selection, leads seventh-year head coach Seth Greenberg's Hokies with a 17.7 scoring average. Junior forward Jeff Allen (12.7 ppg.) tops VT in rebounding with an 8.3 average.
St. John's (3-0) also enters the weekend unbeaten. The Red Storm, under the direction of sixth-year head coach Norm Roberts, defeated Brown (79-76) in its lone Classic game. SJU is led by junior forward D.J. Kennedy (16.3 ppg.). Junior guard Paris Horne also averages double figures at 10.7 points per game.
The Owls are 9-1 all-time against Virginia Tech, which competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference from 1995-96 through 1999-2000. St. John's leads the all-time series 32-22. The Owls and Red Storm last met on March 16, 1990, an 81-65 St. John's win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
