Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Purdue
Men's Basketball Takes On Purdue in Tournament Semifinals Today
11.18.11 | Men's Basketball
Owls-Boilermskers game can be seen on ESPNU (1 pm ET) and espn3.com
SAN JUAN - Temple looks to move to 3-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season when it takes on Purdue Friday afternoon (1:00 pm ET/ESPNU/1210 AM WPHT) in the semifinals of the 5-hour Energy Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Owls defeated Western Michigan, 69-55, in the opening round Thursday morning while the Boilermakers topped Iona, 91-90, in their quarterfinal game. Both teams are receiving votes in the latest college basketball polls.
The Owls have won their first two games with a balanced offensive attack that features all five starters averaging double-figures in scoring. Senior guards Juan Fernandez (16.5 ppg,, 5.5 apg.) and Ramone Moore (5.0 ppg.) top the Cherry and white while graduate student forward Michael Eric (10.5 ppg., 12.5 rpg,) is averaging a double-double. Junior forward Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson (11.5 ppg., 5.0 rpg.) and junior guard Khalif Wyatt (11.0 ppg., 4.,0 spg.) rounds out the starting five.
Senior forward Robbie Hummel (21.0 ppg.) and senior guard Ryne Smith (16.3 ppg.) lead a balanced Boilermaker attack. Redshirt freshman guard Anthony Johnson (11.0 ppg,) and junior guard Kelsey Barlow (10.0 ppg.) also average double-figures for Purdue.
Temple owns a 3-2 lead in the series, but the two teams have only met twice since the 1930s. The Owls won both of those meetings, with each occuring in the NCAA Tournament (1991, 1999).
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