Temple subs getting it done

Temple coach Fran Dunphy realizes that when a team has a bench like the Owls - one that includes a fifth-year senior, a redshirt junior, a third-year junior, and a sophomore who started 10 straight games earlier this season - frustration can seep in at some point.

But a major reason the Owls have won five of their last six games, including Sunday's 89-80 upset of No. 8 ranked and previously unbeaten Southern Methodist, is because their nonstarters have accepted their roles.

"There's frustration involved with sacrifice, and that comes with the territory," Dunphy said. "But in the end, if you're thinking, 'Whatever is best for the team, I'm willing to do. I would like to get out there. I want to play,' I'm OK with the frustration. Control it and understand it, and let's talk about it.

"The more positive plays you make, the less frustration you're going to have because you're going to be in the game. Typically I'm not so much worried about who's starting the game, I'm very concerned with who's finishing it."

After starting the season's first 12 games, Devin Coleman, the fifth-year senior who is in his second season with Temple after transferring from Clemson, has been the catalyst of the bench brigade. He knocked down all seven of his three-point attempts and scored 23 points in the Owls' win over SMU and was named the American Athletic Conference player of the week.

"I don't think I've ever seen a performance like that," said redshirt junior Daniel Dingle, another member of the Owls' potent bench. "Actually, I got a rebound, and we were in transition. I saw an open lane for myself, but when he spotted up, I was like: 'Hey, his three is just like my layup.' I passed him the ball, and he knocked it down."

The 6-foot-7 Dingle provides another dimension for the Owls when he enters the game. He can play any position from point guard to power forward. He can guard the opposition's shortest or tallest player. He can score if needed, as he did Sunday with 14 points in 16 minutes against SMU.

Dingle's role changes from game to game, and he observes from the bench once the game begins to figure it out.

"It's staying engaged, active, talking, acting like I'm on the court," he said. "It's just observing the weaknesses of the opposition, seeing if there are gaps I can fill in. Being a student of the game on the bench and being very active so when I get in the game, I'm already ready."

Dunphy not only appreciates Dingle's versatility but also his high basketball IQ.

"He knows the game so well," the coach said. "His versatility has really helped us. Like [Sunday], he had a terrific game for us - scored the ball well, passed the ball well, put the ball in the right people's hands, and defended it well.

"Would he like to have more minutes and start the game? Probably. But he's understanding of his role, and he's performed it great."

Dingle starred at St. Raymond's High School in the Bronx, where he was the 2012 New York Catholic High School Athletic Association player of the year. But he learned to fit in on his AAU team, the New York Lightning, where he played with Kareem Canty of Auburn, Kevin Punter of Tennessee, and Kamari Murphy of Miami.

"It's doing whatever it takes to win," he said. "I've learned how to fit in, definitely."

So have the other bench players - junior forward Mark Williams and sophomore forward Obi Enechionyia, who replaced the injured Jaylen Bond in the starting lineup on Sunday, his 11th start of the season. The bench against SMU also included senior Devontae Watson and freshman Levan S. Alston Jr.

"Those guys coming off the bench, there's moments now where we're playing five subs, which never happened to us," Dunphy said. "And you're feeling comfortable about it, which is great."

jjuliano@phillynews.com

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