Despite loss, Owls a team to be reckoned with

If Temple shoots 10-for-21 from the arc in any Atlantic 10 games, the Owls almost can't lose. Their margin for error against A-10 teams will be much greater than it was at Villanova on Thursday when the Owls lost, 78-74, and, for the most part, played a winning game.

If Temple can get its guards and Lavoy Allen together on offense, they will lose very few games in 2011. Juan Fernandez and Ramone Moore combined for 25 points in the first half at 'Nova when Allen had just five points and very few offensive touches.

In the second half, Fernandez and Moore combined for just 11 points while Allen had 17. Some of that may have been due to a change in defensive focus by Villanova. Moore, at times, seemed to be playing too fast. And Fernandez said he started to get a little tired from the Villanova pressure.

Temple's defense is going to be there every game. It was the second half of last season when the offense really started to click. It isn't difficult to imagine the same thing happening again this season.

The Owls have only two non A-10 games from here to the postseason, a Big 5 game with Penn and late February date at No. 1 Duke. Talk about a game getting you ready for the NCAA Tournament. Temple will face no test as daunting in the NCAA as that game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
-- Dick Jerardi