'Nova dropping, Owls rising in poll
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'Nova dropping, Owls rising in poll
Villanova keeps dropping and Temple keeps rising in the Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll that was released today.
Villanova (24-6) dropped from ninth to 10, while the Owls (26-5) went from 20th to 17th.
Villanova opens play in the Big East Tournament at 2:30 on Thursday and Temple's first game in the Atlantic 10 Tournament will be Friday at noon.
Comments (38)
I'm with you all the way StorminNormin. By the way: Since Jay Wright has been at VU they've had 3 trips to the Sweet 16, one Elite 8, and one Final Four. Hell of a body of work for a great college coach-- Let's keep them coming Jay! Let's hear it for the Big 5!— Big 5 Fan- Word up JoeyMax— gopherkiddd
- What's to complain about? We have two teams rated within the best 17 teams in college basketball, with two of the best coaches in America. If the region's hoops fans support Temple as strongly as we support Nova (21,000 fans for the West Virginia game?!?), Franny would have the resources to build a national power. GO CATS...GO OWLS— JoeyMax
- How many big 5 games did Nova win in a row? Twenty-something? I lost track. They lost ONCE to a good Temple team in how many years, that on that night had an amazing night from one player. Don't get carried away with "owning" Nova...seriously. Temple is good this year, but the A-10 is incomparable to the Big East. When Temple wins the Big 5 9 out of 10 times, we can talk about who actually owns the city.— beren682
- As a nova fan, i'm happy for temple. they are a good team and are having a very good season. they certainly play with more heart than nova does at times, especially defensively. obviously nova should be ranked higher than temple bc there is no comparison between the big east and the A10. also, although temple did beat nova in a great game, nova would beat temple 7 out of 10 times on a neutral court. Temple still has a lot to prove before we start perceiving them as the premier big 5 hoops program again. If Temple wins 2 games in the NCAA tourney, that will be a fantastic season for them to build upon. If Nova doesn't win at least 2 games, this season will have been a disappointment. Realistically, I'll be happy if Nova makes it to the sweet 16 the way they've been playing lately. It'll be a successful season if they make it to the elite 8. While they are certainly capable of returning to the final 4 (remember, the NCAA tourney is all about guard play), I don't see them knocking off Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, or Ohio State... Nova could potentially handle Duke, Pitt, Kansas State, and the rest...— GoPhils09
- Temple is in a rebuilding phase. They lost their top scorer in Christmas at 20 PPG. Ryan Brooks is the best senior on the team and he's probably #3 on the team, overall. Dunphy has cultivated the current roster into a very good team that was picked preseason to be #5 in the A-10. Dunphy is a great, great coach who should be a very strong candidate for national coach of the year. Trust in the Dunph. Next year the team should be even stronger.— xxx
- Not so sure about Nova being a great team next year. Losing your best player in reynolds and best perimeter defender in redding is def a blow to your team. They aren't bringing in any super talent, wayns will now have to start full-time, and fisher isn't a world beater. The development of Yarou is probably the most important factor in this teams success next year. Defensive problems and turnovers have plagued this team all year, can they fix this?? I am just being a little cynical to stir up some debate.— Philadel12
- Temple is only graduating two impact players. We are in a "rebuilding year" as well. Once we make our run in this years tourney, we should be able to land some impact recruits for 2011 and beyond. TU and Nova will battle again next year and hopefully for many years to come - looking forward to it !!!— gopherkiddd
- This is a rebuilding year for VU. Look at how many freshmen play in the rotation lineup. Next year they will be seasoned sophmores. Next year they have recruits who will be good role players. So #10 is pretty darn respectful. Great that 2 Big Five teams are top 20.— skipdog
- To StorminNormin, I agree about some Temple fans and the same can be said about Nova fans. Two teams in the area had great seasons and other than both being in the top 25 and the head to head game they played this year the rest of their resumes are not comparable. Because of the attention given to the Big East due to the size of most of the shools in their confernce and the fact that they have the ESPN contract their is no way you can compare strength of schedule or recruiting. Top recruits are going to go where they have the most exposure, especially now that each NBA prospect must go to at least one year of college. Nova is not one of the big schools anyone thinks of when it comes to basketball nationally, they are this cities year in favorite to make a run because of their conference. To the idiot that posted that Temple fans are like Eagle fans because they want wins but not a title, I'm assuming from the rest of your comment you are a Nova fan. I've been a lifelong Temple Fan for 24 years and have seen the Owls make the Tournament in 20 of those 24 years which isn't bad for a mid major like Temple. I've never seen Nova win a title, so I'm not sure what there has been to chear for on the main line for the last 24 years or the years prior to them winning their one national title. With the inability to bring in the types of recruits that Nova can Temple is forced to play a grueling nonconference schedule where they show they can play among the elite. Beating Nova in a game that would have put them as the number one team in the nation is a great accomplishment and hopefully we can make a run in the next month. Go Owls!— theeutmost
- Josh - Just for kicks, TEMPLE is actually the historically better program...at least for now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_teams_with_the_most_victories_in_NCAA_Division_I_men's_college_basketball Although, but this logic, Penn also has a historically better program than Nova (in wins, not %). Go Quakers!— Pants
- Do you realize how easy it is to defend Nova, their whole offense is on ball screens and drives to the basket. Since Dunphy is the smartest coach in the city he matched up with nova's heavy guard lineup and just switched on everything. Several times when Nova played Temple Lavoy Allen was guarding scottie reynolds and it worked. NOva scored 17 points below its average. And dont cry about nova being in a rebuilding year, no one picked temple to be above 5 in a "midmajor" conference. Dunph is the best coach in the city.— kmclaughlin
- 1073, IF TU plays Nova 10 times Nova wins 8 of 10. Temple has never shot 3s as well in any other game this year and doubtfully could do it again if the teams played more times, but I'll be conservative and say 8 out of 10 instead of 9 out of 10. That said, I think Dunph's a great coach.
- Owls79, To say TU's recruiting has been better than Nova's is hog wash to say it politely. Nova had a top 4 class last year and may at least one and possibly 2 McDonald's All American's this year. There are I believe 6 McD's All Americans on Nova's squad, i.e., Reynolds, Stokes, King, Yarou, Wayns, and Cheek. TU has none.
- theutmost, Nova does not have its two best players back this year. One of its best players from last year is on the Portland Trailblazers this year, Cunningham is hands down better than Redding. They also lost experience and talent Clark and Anderson. By the way the Big East is the toughest conference in the NCAA last year and again this year. The teams however play an unbalanced schedule. If Nova played Cuse's schedule this year its likely they'd still be a top the Big East.
- Several of you Temple fans sounds like Eagles fans. Your satisfied with having a bunch of wins and never winning it all. Most Temple people I know are not cocky like some of you. Nova four final 4's and Temple has been there twice. 12 Elite 8 appearances for Nova, and 5 for Temple. Their both great college programs, but don't say that Temple has had the better program without factual numbers.— Joe WS
- What happened when VU and TU played head to head? Nova got drilled, that’s what.— ss1073
- Check out all-time wins and then tell me that 'Nova has historically been a better program. You can denigrate Temple's conference all you want-that just makes TU's coaching and recruiting more impressive.— owl79
- Joshua, It is not hating Temple. They deserve the kudos as does the coach and team. It is some of the idiotic posters that rile the masses.— StorminNorman
- Actually Joshua Soffa, Temple has the historically better program. Sixth, that's right, 6th, ALL TIME IN WINS. Also, with that being said, Temple is having the better season so far, having won the Big 5 (75-65), the head to head, and the A 10. Big East basketball = BIG MONEY ... the rankings are a marketing tool and the prognosticators and sports media all win if the Big East and ACC teams they continually hype are ranked high. It's a self fulfilling prophesy. If you start out the season ranked in the top ten, it takes a lot to drop down, as the other overrated BIG EAST teams keep your strength of schedule numbers high. Syracuse is a hell of a team this year and will do well... we'll see about the rest of the league.— gopherkiddd
- Because they keep losing to top 25 teams. If you lose in the Big East you aren't going to fall as much as you would in the A-10.— Joe WS
- Nova lost 4 out of the last 5 games, and only dropped 7 spots ?!?— Leron
- 27-24— John Lara
- For all those people hating on Temple out there, I ask you why? There is no question that Nova historically has the better program, that's not in question here. However with that said, Temple is having the better season. Simply because the Owls play in the A-10 and not the Big East does not mean their success can be dismissed this season. Their RPI and SOS is very comparable to Villanova's despite playing in a mid-major. Give Temple credit people, they truly deserve it. Hoot!
- Why does my post keep getting deleted off the board? Who is doing this?— Joe WS
- to theeutmost When you see Nova next year in bball, you will realize this is a rebuilding year. To McCade. The analogy in football shows the ridiculousness of placing to much emphasis on one game. Templle deserves kudos for a great season and being Big 5 champ. Do it two years in a row before putting Dunphy up for Sainthood. Dunphy is a great coach as is Martelli. Others do not have to stink for one to be great.— StorminNorman
- This isn't a rebuilding year for Nova. They still have their two best players from last year in their current lineup. Nova took advantage of a ranking that was way to high in the preseason and went on a run of weak opponents untill they hit Temple. Then they rolled into the easiest part of their Big East schedule and stayed in the top ten. Once they finally played some real competition they got smoked. Shut down Scottie Reynolds and Nova is done like dinner. Teams have figured that out and it's happening a lot more, which is why Reynolds is not an NBA draft option- he doesn't always show up and he's to small to overcome his size shortcomings.— theeutmost
- Yeah, a last minute field goal means Nova "killed" Temple in football. Nova rebuilding project includes a team with 7 high school all-americans in bball (including Reynolds, who might be first team all american), yet Temple beat them this year with none. Dunph is a great coach who gets the most out of his players - why do Nova fans have to downgrade the other school in the city to feel good about themselves? It is pathetic really.— mcdade23
- Nova killed Temple in football. Villanova is the city football champion. Look at the other final 4 contestant. Carolina, no NCAA. UCONN, no NCAA. This is a rebuilding year for Nova and Temple happened to beat them early in the season. Knowing the Temple fans, we will be hearing for years the time that Temple beat Nova back in 2009.— StorminNorman
- As a strictly unbiased PSU grad, I can honestly say that Villanova has a MUCH better program, right now, then Temple. I mean please, all you have to do is look at the conferences. The Big East is a bear. 7. possibly 8 teams are going to the tourney. WVU one night, 'Cuse the next, Pitt, then get a break and play...oh wait, Pitt...'Nova will be battle tested come touney time. And, remember, this was a rebuilding year for them. Watch out next season...and I wouldnt be a true PSU fan if I didnt say...WE ARE-PENN STATE...— amass1972
- Just because Scottie Reynolds has been distracted recently by Jay Jay's suit collection doesn't mean that he will contiune to miss wide open game clinching 3 pointers in the future.— xxx
Comment removed.- DennyP, you're a good man. Please excuse the moronic half of my alma mater's alumni/student base. Two teams from the Big 5 doing some damage in March is good for everyone.— ncatra01
- Also, wouldn't the higher ranking reflect Nova's tougher schedule. It didn't say "Temple now ranked higher than Nova" Nova's fall reflects the fact that they have played poorly lately, at the exact wrong time unfortunately.— thedreadpirate
- RJM16: Why so much hate?! You're making it seem like the whole world is anti-'Nova. Me and most of my friends are TU grads and more than happy 'Nova is having a good year. Unless it's head to head, why can't we be happy both are having good years. Relax and enjoy the ride.— DennyP
- RJM ...go please yourself. Temple owned Nova this year and is the current Big Five champion. Nova has a good squad, however they are falling apart at the end of an overhyped and overrated Big East season. You heard it here first -- Cats are out early this year.— UncleEddie
- 75-65— mcdade23
- PLEASE ..... Nova plays a Top 20 team nearly every night. Temple battles SJU and LaSalle for 4 games annually, not to mention all the other NIT level A-10 teams. The Big East has 10 legit teams that could be considered for the Big Boy Tourney, the A-10 has maybe three. We shall see who does what starting March 18th!!! Go Cats!— RJM16
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