No. 20 Temple has found its own personality

This is what Temple coach Fran Dunphy had to say about his basketball team in early November:

"I think each team has a different personality. I still don't know what this team's personality is yet. I don't think you can predict that. The last 2 years we got better and better as the year went on. I hope that's the case this year."

Sure sounded reasonable enough at the time.

The last 2 years, the Owls had to win the Atlantic 10 Tournament to assure themselves of a berth in the NCAA Madness. Having lost Dionte Christmas and his 20 points a game, they were picked to finish fifth this season. Still, most everyone figured they again would be a factor by the time the A-10 tournament arrived. But how many thought they would be Top-25 good before the conference schedule began?

"I think we've definitely surprised a lot of people," said senior guard Ryan Brooks, Temple's top scorer (14.9 average). "This couldn't have been predicted. We've surprised ourselves, at least a little bit."

The Owls (22-5, 10-2) are ranked 20th heading into tonight's home game against Dayton (18-8, 7-5), which was picked to finish first. They're tied with Xavier (19-7, 10-2), a team they beat at home, a half-game back of No. 23 Richmond (22-6, 11-2), where they lost.

The Owls have put themselves in position to get perhaps a No. 4 seed in the NCAA field. Provided, of course, they keep this up. Since 1994, Temple has been seeded that high only once. That happened 10 years ago, when it was a No. 2.

These Owls are getting it done much the same way as most of John Chaney's clubs. They take care of the ball and defend. Dunphy's old school, too. He just prefers man-to-man instead of zone. Doesn't matter. They stop the other guys as well as almost anyone. It might not always be pretty, but it's sure working.

Nevertheless . . .

"To be honest, I'm still not sure how good we are," Dunphy said. "I think we're still proving to ourselves what kind of team we are.

"When [people] tell you that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, you're really proud. It's nice when your team plays like it doesn't care who gets the credit. That's how you want to present your squad to the rest of the world.

"[Being ranked is] a blessing, because it tells you people respect your program. The minus is, you're going to be the target for every opponent. But you'd rather be [considered] one of the top teams. That's what we all try to be. The more you win, the more recognition you get."

This hasn't happened by accident. It's no secret that Dunph can X-and-O. Brooks, junior forward Lavoy Allen and sophomore guard Juan Fernandez are each among the A-10's best. Senior Luis Guzman, Chaney's last recruit, has been solid at the point. Sophomore forward Michael Eric has steadily improved. Sophomore guard Ramone Moore has recently emerged as a force. And the rest of the bench has been able to supply whatever has been needed at a particular time.

Which is usually a sign that something special is going on.

"It's changed some things," Brooks admitted. "Now, people expect us to win every game. We welcome that challenge. It's how you get better. It keeps pushing us. We want the attention. We don't like losing.

"With the success, you gain confidence. We wanted to establish ourselves as one of the best teams in our conference. So every day matters. We're a unit. We don't have any stars, no egos. But we're a very close group. That means a lot . . .

"It's exciting to see your name out there. But there's a lot of basketball left to be played. We haven't won anything yet. We still have to finish this out strong, cap this off. I believe your season is determined by how you finish. We're just looking to make a lot more noise."

Sure seems reasonable enough now.