NCAA implications for Temple vs. UConn

For Temple's regular season, Saturday's home game against Connecticut is last but definitely not least in terms of importance. Playing the defending national champions could have serious NCAA ramifications.

Even though the teams met once this season, Owls point guard Will Cummings doesn't think it has much bearing on Saturday's 2 p.m. American Athletic Conference matchup at the Liacouras Center.

That's because the game was played last year - literally.

On New Year's Eve, the Owls scored a 57-53 overtime win in Hartford.

"That game was so long ago, and we were a different team and they were a different team then," said Cummings, who is averaging a team-high 13.8 points. "We kind of throw that out the window."

It can be argued that Temple (21-9, 12-5 AAC) needs the game more than UConn in terms of earning an NCAA tournament bid.

The Huskies (17-12, 10-7) are coming off Thursday's 54-53 loss to visiting Memphis. It's likely that UConn will have to win the AAC tournament in its own backyard of Hartford to earn a bid.

If Temple loses to UConn, the Owls likely would have to make a deep run in the AAC tournament. A win might not clinch an NCAA berth, but it would do wonders for the Owls' chances.

Temple, which is coming off Thursday's 70-56 win at East Carolina, began Friday with an RPI of 37, according to NCAA.com. (UConn's RPI is 76).

"Both teams need to win," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said.

Like Cummings, Dunphy said he could take very little from that first Temple win.

"In the first game, [Ryan] Boatright got hurt," Dunphy said about Connecticut's standout senior guard. "I will watch that first game again, but I am not sure how much you can get from that."

Boatright suffered a bruised left thigh late in the first half. He tried going in the second half, but left after the first Temple possession.

Boatright, who shot 4 for 13 in Thursday's loss to Memphis, is averaging 17.6 points and 4.1 assists. He is a candidate for AAC player of the year.

So is Cummings, who had eight points, seven assists, and four steals in the win over UConn.

That UConn victory was among Temple's more impressive this season. It was Temple's first AAC game, and now the rematch will be the last.

"We grinded it out," Cummings said. "It was a down-to-the-wire, gritty game."

More of the same can be expected Saturday.

@sjnard