Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Men's Basketball Moves Up In Both Major Polls
12.28.09 | Men's Basketball
Owls now ranked #18 by AP and #19 by ESPN/USA Today
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple men's basketball team, which cracked the Top 25 for the first time since November, 2001 last week, moved up in both major polls that were released today. The Owls (9-2), winners of five straight and off to their best start since the 1993-94 team opened at 16-2, are now ranked #18 by the Associated Press poll and #19 by the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Picked to finish tied for fifth in the preseason Atlantic 10 Conference coaches/media poll, the Owls have put together their run to the rankings with a defense that ranks third in the nation in scoring defense (55.1 ppg.) and fourth in three-point percentage defense (.239).
Led by senior co-captains Ryan Brooks and Luis Guzman, the Owls have controlled the tempo of the game on offense, and rank fourth in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (10.2 ppg.). Brooks, named Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Week on Dec. 21, leads a balanced Cherry and White squad in scoring with a 15.2 average. Junior forward Lavoy Allen, a preseason first team All-Atlantic 10 selection, averages a double-double (11.5 ppg./10.4 rpg.) while sophomore guard Juan Fernandez, who was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 20, averages 13.5 points and 3.8 assists per game.
The Owls take the court tonight (7:00 p.m.) against Bowling Green at McGonigle Hall. It is “Turn Back The Clock” Night as Temple will be playing its first regular season game in its old home since opening the Liacouras Center in 1997. The team will wear retro uniforms from the 1980s and fans can purchase tickets to the game for $9.00 and there will discounted concession prices throughout the game.
Picked to finish tied for fifth in the preseason Atlantic 10 Conference coaches/media poll, the Owls have put together their run to the rankings with a defense that ranks third in the nation in scoring defense (55.1 ppg.) and fourth in three-point percentage defense (.239).
Led by senior co-captains Ryan Brooks and Luis Guzman, the Owls have controlled the tempo of the game on offense, and rank fourth in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (10.2 ppg.). Brooks, named Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Week on Dec. 21, leads a balanced Cherry and White squad in scoring with a 15.2 average. Junior forward Lavoy Allen, a preseason first team All-Atlantic 10 selection, averages a double-double (11.5 ppg./10.4 rpg.) while sophomore guard Juan Fernandez, who was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 20, averages 13.5 points and 3.8 assists per game.
The Owls take the court tonight (7:00 p.m.) against Bowling Green at McGonigle Hall. It is “Turn Back The Clock” Night as Temple will be playing its first regular season game in its old home since opening the Liacouras Center in 1997. The team will wear retro uniforms from the 1980s and fans can purchase tickets to the game for $9.00 and there will discounted concession prices throughout the game.
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