Mark Williams has given Temple a spark
During his time at Temple, Mark Williams has experienced ups and downs, especially when it comes to playing time. In his first two years, the 6-foot-8 senior forward from Cleveland started 20 games. As a freshman he averaged a career-high 18.8 minutes.
During his time at Temple, Mark Williams has experienced ups and downs, especially when it comes to playing time. In his first two years, the 6-foot-8 senior forward from Cleveland started 20 games. As a freshman he averaged a career-high 18.8 minutes.
During the last two years he has started four games. This season he has become a bigger part of the rotation, but is still averaging just 13.9 minutes.
Williams has maintained a positive attitude, and lately it has helped. By scoring 10 points in a 73-59 loss Wednesday at Connecticut, Williams reached double figures for the second consecutive game. That's the first time in his career he accomplished the feat.
In the previous game, an 81-62 win over East Carolina, he had 13 points. In those two games he shot 10 for 14 from the field, including 3 of 4 from three-point range.
With leading scorer Obi Enechionyia shooting just 30.5 percent from the field in Temple's conference games, Williams may need to continue his scoring output off the bench.
Temple (10-8, 1-4 American Athletic Conference) will host Tulsa (8-7, 2-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday. Williams could be earning himself more minutes for a team that has lost four of its last five games.
"I am happy for him, and it's been good to see him go for double figures two games in a row," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said. "I hope he can keep it going."
Williams' recent scoring hasn't altered his confidence, only his playing time. He averaged 18.5 minutes the last two games.
"I always had my confidence," Williams said. "This particular team, losing Q [Quenton DeCosey], Jaylen Bond, and Devin Coleman, we lost a lot of points. Right now with Obi not scoring as well, being a team player I have to step up and everybody has to step up."
That departed trio averaged 35.4 points last season for Temple.
Williams is like any other player coming off the bench. The senior admits that he would love to have more playing time, but he has maintained a positive attitude.
"It's about my guys, and I realize if I take care of what I have to take care of, then all the personal things will come to me," he said. "For me it's all about winning, and if I have to score 20 points to win then we will do it, and if I only play 10 minutes a game but if we are winning, I will make that sacrifice."
The Owls are a relatively young team. The only seniors in the rotation are starting forward Daniel Dingle and Williams. Senior point guard Josh Brown, who hasn't played since Dec. 13, remains sidelined with Achilles soreness.
"We have a lot of young guys, even like myself I am a senior and have been around but haven't played a lot," Williams said. "We still must feel our way through things, and once we do that we will be fine."
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