Basketball: Temple Readies for Visit to Toledo
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Temple Owls (4-2) will play a third straight game against an opponent from the MAC on Wednesday, when they visit Toledo.
This run started with a loss at Bowling Green (see game story), but then the Owls bounced back with an 86-74 win over Central Michigan, last Saturday, in their home opener (see game story).
Temple won that game without senior big man Michael Eric, who is out for several weeks with a patella injury.
Owls head coach Fran Dunphy talks about life without Eric:
"I think what has to happen is, everybody has to pick it up, not only the guys that are taking his spot -- in this case Anthony Lee -- but everybody off the bench as well. Whether it's Aaron Brown (who scored 21 points in 22 bench minutes against Central Michigan), TJ DiLeo, or whoever we put in there, has to really understand that their role has now changed. Even the guards that we have -- (Juan) Fernandez, (Ramone) Moore, and (Khalif) Wyatt -- have to do more."
Hear Matt Leon's full interview with Fran Dunphy in this CBS Philly SportsPod...
Podcast
Click to download podcast for listening anytime
Eric averaged 10.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in four games before getting hurt.
As for Wednesday's game with 6-1 Toledo, Dunphy says they present a tough road challenge:
"They have shot 75 more foul shots than their opponents in the first six games, which is obviously an indication of how aggressive they are in taking the ball to the rim. They shoot it well from the three-point line, they are holding teams down defensively.
"They have some very good speed and quickness, not overwhelming size, but the speed and quickness worries me. And also the fact that they are going to be home and we are going to be on the road and we really need to pay attention to our details."
Toledo is led by sophomore guard Rian Pearson, who is averaging 17.4 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per contest.
Tipoff is set for 7:00pm Wednesday night in Toledo, Ohio.
----------
