Temple University Athletics
Sunday, January 2
Philadelphia, Pa.
5:00 P.M.
Temple University
vs
#12 Houston
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Men's Basketball Hosts #12 Houston Sunday
12.31.21 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - Temple (7-5, 0-1 AAC) rings in the New Year on Sunday (Jan. 2) when the Owls host #12 Houston (11-2, 0-0) at the Liacouras Center (5 pm/ESPN/1210 AM WPHT). Â
It will be the first game since both programs took a one-game pause for Covid protocol issues. Houston had its AAC home opener with Cincinnati postponed on Dec. 28 while the Owls' Big 5 game at #22 Villanova being postponed on Dec. 29. Â
SCOUTING TEMPLE
> Damian Dunn leads the Owls in scoring (13.6 ppg), rebounding (5.2 rpg), steals (15) and free throw percentage (43-50, .860). Dunn has picked up his game since Khalif Battle (21.4 ppg) was sidelined for the year, averaging 17 ppg over the last five games.
> Jeremiah Williams is second on the team in scoring (9.2 ppg) while runs the show offensively. He leads the Owls in assists (4.7 apg, 5th AAC) and minutes per game (30.6).
> Temple's sixth man, Tai Strickland, is next in scoring at 8.2 ppg, while leading the squad in three-point percentage (9-25, .360).
> Jake Forrester, who leads the team in field goal percentage (.544), averages 6.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg and Nick Jourdain (4.0 ppg), who leads the team blocks (1.7 bpg/3rd AAC) and ranks second in rebounding (5.1 rpg), are the frontline starters with Jahlil White (4.5 ppg/4.3 rpg) rounding out the starting five.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
> Under the direction of head coach Kelvin Sampson, AAC preseason favorite Houston is coming off a Final Four season and has been ranked nationally the entire season.
> The #12 Cougars stand among the nation's Top-10 statistical
leaders in scoring margin (+23.4, 4th), scoring defense (56.0 ppg, 6th) and turnover margin (+6.3, 9th) and ranks in the Top 25 in field goal percentage defense (37.0,
11th), steals (10.2, 14th), won-loss percentage (84.6, 17th).
> Houston will be without two of its top four scorers, Marcus Sasser (17.7 ppg) and Tramon Mack (10.1 ppg), who suffered season-ending injuries over the last 10 days.
> Kyler Edwards (12.5 ppg) and Fabian White, Jr. (10.2 ppg) leads Houston in scoring with Josh Carlton (9.8 ppg) and Jamal Shead (9.3 ppg) close behind.
SERIES HISTORYÂ
> Houston holds a 10-3 series advantage over the Owls, winning four straight and six of the last seven matchups.
> Temple is 2-5 against Houston at the Liacouras Center, with its last home win coming on Jan. 9, 2019 (73-69). That was also the last Temple win in the series.
It will be the first game since both programs took a one-game pause for Covid protocol issues. Houston had its AAC home opener with Cincinnati postponed on Dec. 28 while the Owls' Big 5 game at #22 Villanova being postponed on Dec. 29. Â
SCOUTING TEMPLE
> Damian Dunn leads the Owls in scoring (13.6 ppg), rebounding (5.2 rpg), steals (15) and free throw percentage (43-50, .860). Dunn has picked up his game since Khalif Battle (21.4 ppg) was sidelined for the year, averaging 17 ppg over the last five games.
> Jeremiah Williams is second on the team in scoring (9.2 ppg) while runs the show offensively. He leads the Owls in assists (4.7 apg, 5th AAC) and minutes per game (30.6).
> Temple's sixth man, Tai Strickland, is next in scoring at 8.2 ppg, while leading the squad in three-point percentage (9-25, .360).
> Jake Forrester, who leads the team in field goal percentage (.544), averages 6.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg and Nick Jourdain (4.0 ppg), who leads the team blocks (1.7 bpg/3rd AAC) and ranks second in rebounding (5.1 rpg), are the frontline starters with Jahlil White (4.5 ppg/4.3 rpg) rounding out the starting five.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
> Under the direction of head coach Kelvin Sampson, AAC preseason favorite Houston is coming off a Final Four season and has been ranked nationally the entire season.
> The #12 Cougars stand among the nation's Top-10 statistical
leaders in scoring margin (+23.4, 4th), scoring defense (56.0 ppg, 6th) and turnover margin (+6.3, 9th) and ranks in the Top 25 in field goal percentage defense (37.0,
11th), steals (10.2, 14th), won-loss percentage (84.6, 17th).
> Houston will be without two of its top four scorers, Marcus Sasser (17.7 ppg) and Tramon Mack (10.1 ppg), who suffered season-ending injuries over the last 10 days.
> Kyler Edwards (12.5 ppg) and Fabian White, Jr. (10.2 ppg) leads Houston in scoring with Josh Carlton (9.8 ppg) and Jamal Shead (9.3 ppg) close behind.
SERIES HISTORYÂ
> Houston holds a 10-3 series advantage over the Owls, winning four straight and six of the last seven matchups.
> Temple is 2-5 against Houston at the Liacouras Center, with its last home win coming on Jan. 9, 2019 (73-69). That was also the last Temple win in the series.
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