Preseason Atlantic Ten ranking: Tied for fifth.
Last season: The Owls finished 22-12; 11-5 in the A-10, and lost to Arizona State in the first round of the NCAA tourney.
Coach: Fran Dunphy (fourth season, 55-43).
Gone: Guard Dionte Christmas (19.5 ppg., 5.8 rpg.); Center Sergio Almos (8.4 ppg., 4.1 rpg.); Guard Semaj Inge (6.9 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 3.6 apg.).
New: G Khalif Wyatt, 6-4, Fr.; F Carmel Bouchman, 6-8, Fr.;
F Rahlir Jefferson, 6-6, Fr.
Scouting report: If Michael Eric, the 6-11 sophomore from Lagos, Nigeria, plays big, the Owls will be better than predicted. With Ryan Brooks and point guard Juan Fernandez at the guard spots, Temple should hold its own most nights in the backcourt. Craig Williams, a 6-9 long-range bomber, is a known scoring threat.
The Owls have a decent amount of experience.
Sleeper: Wyatt -
Dunphy said he has a chance to be "a very special offensive player."
Must step up: Forward Lavoy Allen will be a pivotal figure for the Owls' season greatly, either one way or another. Though his numbers from last year were good, Allen needs be to more consistent, game in and game out, for Temple to reach its potential as a team. He is a preseason all-league selection.
Quote: "If somebody was reporting the top non-conference schedules in the country this year, I think that we have to be in the conversation."
- Fran Dunphy
Toughest game: Jan. 2 against visiting Kansas.
Turning-point game:
Feb. 24 vs. visiting Dayton.
- Kevin Tatum
