Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Moore Making the Most of Senior Season
12.12.19 | Men's Basketball
Senior point guard Alani Moore II is off to a fast start in his final season on Broad Street. Following a junior year that consisted of many ups and downs, Moore is averaging 9.9 points per game and is leading the team in three-pointers made (21) and free throw percentage (14-16, .875). Those numbers are gaudy when compared to last season when he made just 25 threes and averaged a mere 4.1 points per game.
The 2018-19 season consisted of a frustrating finish for Moore. The shots just weren't falling the way he had hoped and the season ended with a heartbreaking loss in the tournament. The offseason was a major opportunity to improve. Moore has noted a change in his day to day, "my mentality going in every day has gone up, working hard on and off the court."
Finding his shot was a major goal for Moore going into this season. The senior knew that if he was going to have a good season he would have to "make shots and be a leader on this team."
First-year head coach Aaron McKie wants to see confidence out of Moore's shooting. "When you shoot, only two things can happen, you can make it or you can miss it…shoot it," McKie said.
Moore points to the players around him as a key to his improved shooting. "I've got guys that feed me the ball well. I just have to make the shots," said Moore.
In addition to shooting, defense was a key area of focus over the offseason. "He has to defend at a high level and be an organizer on the floor," added McKie.
In thinking through ways that he could improve on defense, Moore joked "with my height (5-10), I just have to be a pest." Defense has improved for Moore this year according to his head coach. Moore stresses the importance of defense, saying, "defense is how we win games and defense is all effort."
Both Moore and McKie point to a one on one meeting over the summer as a major turning point. Moore, who averaged between 13 and 15 minutes in each of the last two seasons as a reserve, has taken over the spot vacated by Shizz Alston, Jr. as the team's starting point guard. His minutes have doubled, ranking second on the team at 30.2 per game, as has his productivity.
 "He's a senior. He has a little more experience, and you certainly want to lean on those guys," said McKie.
McKie wants to see confidence with Moore and so far, this season, he thinks he has.
The team is off to an impressive 7-2 start. One of those losses came at the hands of Maryland who was ranked #5 in the nation, and Temple was in contention the entire game.
"We were two possessions away from winning that game, and it showed that we can compete with anyone in the country," said Moore.
This Temple team has something special. According to McKie, the game has shifted back to being led by guards and, "when you find those guys that are really really good, they are difference makers out there."
As the Owls continue their non-conference play, no game will be taken lightly. "Winning non-conference games shows the country what we can do" added Moore.
The Owls will take to the floor next against the Miami Hurricanes at the Barclays Center (Dec. 17/9:30 p.m./ESPNU) where Moore will look to continue his hot start.Â
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The 2018-19 season consisted of a frustrating finish for Moore. The shots just weren't falling the way he had hoped and the season ended with a heartbreaking loss in the tournament. The offseason was a major opportunity to improve. Moore has noted a change in his day to day, "my mentality going in every day has gone up, working hard on and off the court."
Finding his shot was a major goal for Moore going into this season. The senior knew that if he was going to have a good season he would have to "make shots and be a leader on this team."
First-year head coach Aaron McKie wants to see confidence out of Moore's shooting. "When you shoot, only two things can happen, you can make it or you can miss it…shoot it," McKie said.
Moore points to the players around him as a key to his improved shooting. "I've got guys that feed me the ball well. I just have to make the shots," said Moore.
In addition to shooting, defense was a key area of focus over the offseason. "He has to defend at a high level and be an organizer on the floor," added McKie.
In thinking through ways that he could improve on defense, Moore joked "with my height (5-10), I just have to be a pest." Defense has improved for Moore this year according to his head coach. Moore stresses the importance of defense, saying, "defense is how we win games and defense is all effort."
Both Moore and McKie point to a one on one meeting over the summer as a major turning point. Moore, who averaged between 13 and 15 minutes in each of the last two seasons as a reserve, has taken over the spot vacated by Shizz Alston, Jr. as the team's starting point guard. His minutes have doubled, ranking second on the team at 30.2 per game, as has his productivity.
 "He's a senior. He has a little more experience, and you certainly want to lean on those guys," said McKie.
McKie wants to see confidence with Moore and so far, this season, he thinks he has.
The team is off to an impressive 7-2 start. One of those losses came at the hands of Maryland who was ranked #5 in the nation, and Temple was in contention the entire game.
"We were two possessions away from winning that game, and it showed that we can compete with anyone in the country," said Moore.
This Temple team has something special. According to McKie, the game has shifted back to being led by guards and, "when you find those guys that are really really good, they are difference makers out there."
As the Owls continue their non-conference play, no game will be taken lightly. "Winning non-conference games shows the country what we can do" added Moore.
The Owls will take to the floor next against the Miami Hurricanes at the Barclays Center (Dec. 17/9:30 p.m./ESPNU) where Moore will look to continue his hot start.Â
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Players Mentioned
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