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Fernandez leads Temple's senior contingent

When Juan Fernandez made his way from the familiarity of his Rio Tercero, Argentina, home to North Broad Street, he had no knowledge of how his 31/2 years at Temple would unfold.

When Juan Fernandez made his way from the familiarity of his Rio Tercero, Argentina, home to North Broad Street, he had no knowledge of how his 31/2 years at Temple would unfold.

There was no way of predicting the joy he would feel as a key part of three NCAA tournament appearances.

Certainly, Fernandez didn't think about being a part of two Atlantic Ten tournament titles.

And the senior could not have imagined being in a class that has recorded 99 career victories.

"I will never get these college games or years back," the point guard said of his Temple career. "It's been great. I really enjoyed it.

"The fans were great. We owe them a lot."

He will hear his final applause from the home crowd when the 23d-ranked Owls (22-6, 11-3 A-10) play their final game of the season at the Liacouras Center against Massachusetts on Wednesday night.

Fernandez, fifth-year senior guard Ramone Moore, graduate student center Micheal Eric, and senior reserve guard Jake Godino will be honored during what promises to be an emotional Senior Night.

It could become a memorable night for more than one reason.

Temple would clinch at least a share of the A-10 regular-season title and get the No. 1 seed for next week's conference tournament with a victory over the Minutemen (19-9, 8-6).

But before the game, the Owls will honor four players that will be hard to replace for different reasons.

Though a seldom-used former walk-on, Godino is a fan favorite.

Meanwhile, the Owls have been an improved team since Eric returned from a fractured kneecap on Jan. 21. The 6-foot-11 shot blocker is averaging 8.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and two blocked shots on the season.

Fernandez leads Temple in assists (3.9 per game) and three-pointers made (56). He is also third on the team in scoring (10.9 points).

He ranks second all-time at Temple in three-point percentage (39.8), seventh in career assists (413) and eighth in career three-pointers made (197).

Moore, on the other hand, is the leading candidate for conference player of the year.

He leads the A-10 in scoring (18 points) and ranks second in minutes played (36.5) and 20-point games (10). And the South Philadelphia native has scored in double figures in 60 of 67 career starts.

Moore admits he might shed a few tears before his 68th start and last home game.

"My mom and them have bought I think about 250 tickets," he said. "It's going to be crazy. Real emotional.

"I get to walk down with my daughter [Simone], my mom [Stephanie Pugh] and my dad [Ramone Moore, Sr.]. It will be a special moment."

While Fernandez won't have 250 folks there, he'll have his share of support.

"It will be around 25 people from Argentina at the game," Fernandez said. "They will make sure they're noticed."