Let's go 4-0

[broderickpresident]

Since the NCAA Tournament field expanded in 1985, 13 teams have gone 4-0 in the Big 5. 12 of those 13 teams made it to the dance, with the lone exception being 2000-01 Villanova (an appropriate penance from the basketball gods for their interrupting the full series for the previous decade).

Expect another gut-wrencher. Temple's last 5 games have all been decided by 1 point. NCAA data-keeping isn't good enough to know if that's an all-time record, but STATS Inc has every box score back to 1996 and has said it's the longest such streak during that span. KenPom projects the streak extends: 72-71, Explorers

[mikesmd77]

We deserve to go 4-0. We're the best team in the city, the most consistent, and its our time. It just is. Let's get this done. Send Temple out of the A10 the right way - sealing the Big Five on their home court. That should be motivation alone, not even touching on the implications on the A10 regular season title, A10 tourny bye, our at large resume, etc. Let's notch the first of hopefully multiple additions on to the banners at Gola.

[luhoopsfan]

[23won]

We could have beaten them twice last year but came up just short. TU was much better last year and we are much better this year.

Since it's a Big 5 game and TU could be co-champs if they win and are fighting for their life to advance on the bubble, throw out the analysis on paper and expect a very very tough game and Dunph to prepare these guys like no other game. If they can perpare for and beat a top ranked 'Cuse, they can prepare for and beat anybody.

We have to really want this and take every loose ball and opprotunity we have to put these guys away. No lead will be safe. I can't wait to get there. It will be a classic.

[jellybean]

Lunardi's latest update has us moving up to 10th seed in Salt Lake City versus#7 seed UNLV. Gonzaga is #2 seed.

[lasallescreamer]

TU is always going to be ready. But we will be too. TU has home court but we will have a presense. We have edge in talent. If we dont have edge in intensity-Ithink we do- its no worse than even. It comes down to Wyatt and fouls. Wyatt is best offensive player in game-but Ramon and TD are 2 best overall players in game. Z and JW have got to stay on floor and not let H-J or Lee have better games than they should.I know that Scootie can "go off" but i think we can defend him. This year there is no second guessing, no hesitation and certainly no fear. We have the mental and physical toughness to prevail and the GREAT EXPLORER IN THE SKY will lead us to Victory! I talk to the Great Explore often; Mrs, Screamer wants me to talk to psychiatrist. WeE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS GAME!

[luhoopsfan]

That would be an awesome bracket - I had originally marked SLC and Detroit as no-go locations for me, but a chance to see us play UNLV and the Zags in back-to-back games would be pretty amazing.

Might be tough to find a Catholic Mass on Sunday morning though....

[theneumann64]

If we can stay on the 10 seed line on the majority of the respected forecasters, I feel comfortable. The 11 is when we start getting dangerously close to the edge.

[goexplorers]

Feb 19, 2013 11:27:13 GMT -5 theneumann64 said:

If we can stay on the 10 seed line on the majority of the respected forecasters, I feel comfortable. The 11 is when we start getting dangerously close to the edge.

Bingo. I agree completely. Selection Sunday will be pretty agonizing if we're on most "experts'" 11 seed line.

[luhoopsfan]

just keep winning games and nothing else will matter.

[coachd]

Mills will be a major key in this game. Also I am hearing that Garland is working on his outside shooting and getting "in a groove". It will not be as high scoring as last game.
My early prediction is good guys win 68-59. We contain Wyatt via man-to-man D and disguised zones and thus force him into some bad decisions.

[luhoopsfan]

The benefit we have that many teams do not have is our ability to switch on the perimeter and not lose anything defensively. as Wyatt goes, so goes Temple although lately RHJ has been getting a little more consistent offensively. regardless, you can put Mills on Wyatt and even if he gets screened out, the next guy, Ramon, DJ, even Tyreek can handle the assignment and will hopefully cause some frustration.

My guess is Wyatt is going to look to come out scoring early and often. If Duren can have his way with DiLeo things may really get disrupted for Temple if Wyatt has to have the ball in his hands the whole time and their offense goes stagnant.

Tough part is that TU is a lot like us and does not turn it over, so run outs will be at a minimum and is something we often need to get going so any time we can force missed shots from deep the better chance.

This is going to be a tough, tough game to grind out on the road.

[explorerman]

Feb 19, 2013 12:58:07 GMT -5 luhoopsfan said:

The benefit we have that many teams do not have is our ability to switch on the perimeter and not lose anything defensively. as Wyatt goes, so goes Temple although lately RHJ has been getting a little more consistent offensively. regardless, you can put Mills on Wyatt and even if he gets screened out, the next guy, Ramon, DJ, even Tyreek can handle the assignment and will hopefully cause some frustration.

My guess is Wyatt is going to look to come out scoring early and often. If Duren can have his way with DiLeo things may really get disrupted for Temple if Wyatt has to have the ball in his hands the whole time and their offense goes stagnant.

Tough part is that TU is a lot like us and does not turn it over, so run outs will be at a minimum and is something we often need to get going so any time we can force missed shots from deep the better chance.

This is going to be a tough, tough game to grind out on the road.

Hoopsfan hit it on the head.

Duren vs DiLeo is the biggest mismatch in the game... Fortunately for us, it goes in our favor