Temple hopes to build on recent success
It took all of 14 games for Temple to surpass its win total from last season's uncharacteristic nine-win campaign. Although that won't mean much if the Owls (10-4, 1-0) don't continue to play well through their American Athletic Conference slate, it might provide a bit of midseason validation for a team that in the offseason heavily emphasized improving on the defensive end.
It took all of 14 games for Temple to surpass its win total from last season's uncharacteristic nine-win campaign.
Although that won't mean much if the Owls (10-4, 1-0) don't continue to play well through their American Athletic Conference slate, it might provide a bit of midseason validation for a team that in the offseason heavily emphasized improving on the defensive end.
"It's a great feeling. It just lets us know that we're growing as a team," senior point guard Will Cummings said after practice Friday. "We improved from last year. We're not trying to compare teams from last year or anything like that. We're just looking to get keep building on it and just keep getting in the win column."
Wednesday's overtime road victory against defending-champion Connecticut signified another impressive line on the resumé for the Owls, then just nine days removed from its stunning 25-point triumph over Kansas.
They will enter their American Athletic Conference home opener Sunday against Central Florida (7-5, 0-1) on a four-game winning streak, a stretch coinciding with the eligibility gained by two transfers, Jesse Morgan and Devin Coleman.
Morgan, in particular, has changed the complexion of the team. Averaging 16.3 points, the Olney High product and Massachusetts transfer has at least tied for the team lead in scoring in three of his four games.
Despite missing the first 10 games, Morgan, the reigning conference player of the week, has accounted for 16 of the team's 86 made three-pointers. He has hit at least three in each of his four games and was 4 of 10 from long range against UConn.
Temple entered the weekend last in the 11-team AAC in field-goal percentage (37.4) and 10th in scoring offense (64.7 points per game). But it allows just 60.9 points per game and, unlike last season, is finding ways to win.
"No matter what, where you win at or how you win, you've always got to stay humble and stay hungry," Morgan said. "Coach [Fran Dunphy] tries to make sure every game is taken importantly each time, so we just try to focus on the next opponent and not dwell on our wins or losses."