Big catch for Owls' basketball team

Temple has received a verbal commitment from 6-10 senior center-forward Devontae Watson, of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter in Midland, Pa., a Pittsburgh suburb. He's considered perhaps the best big-man prospect in the western part of the state, and had also been considering Saint Joseph's, Dayton, Florida State and Duquesne.

He visited Temple this past weekend. Last season, he led his team to the state Class A title game, averaging a triple-double that included blocked shots.

Sources have confirmed the Owls are also a finalist for 6-6 wing player Quenton DeCosey, from St. Joseph's High in Metuchen, N.J. He's also being recruited by Penn State, and its new coach, former Villanova assistant Pat Chambers. He's scheduled to visit North Broad Street this week, and Happy Valley this weekend. The Nittany Lions just beat out the Owls and a handful of other programs (including Miami, Minnesota, DePaul and Richmond) for the services of 6-7 Brandon Taylor, of Trenton (N.J.) Catholic Academy.