Temple to host La Salle in A-10 showdown

In what is arguably the season's biggest game in Philadelphia, Temple will entertain La Salle on Wednesday night in a contest that could have huge Atlantic Ten Conference implications.

With a loss, the Owls (11-5 overall, 1-2 A-10) would match their worst conference start through four games under Fran Dunphy. The Owls went 1-3 in the A-10 in 2006-07, his first season on North Broad Street.

The Explorers (13-5, 2-1), on the other hand, are off to their best start since the 1990-91 season, when they were led by Doug Overton and Randy Woods. That La Salle squad was 14-4 through 18 games and finished the season 19-10.

"I think La Salle is really playing well," Dunphy said of the Explorers, who have won 11 of their last 13 games. "You look at their statistical shooting numbers, for example, and their defensive numbers for guarding the three, things of that nature. They are really doing a good job."

Temple (30.3 percent) is actually better than La Salle (32.8) at guarding the three. However, the Explorers are ranked in the top 40 nationally in overall field-goal percentage defense (35th at 39.1).

La Salle also ranks in the top 25 in three-point field-goal percentage (18th, at 39.7) and three-pointers made (23d, at 8.2 per game). The Owls are ranked second, behind the Explorers, in the conference in three-point field-goal percentage (21st nationally, at 39.5).

"We know we are in for a tremendous challenge on Wednesday night," Dunphy said.

But Temple has dominated this series, winning five straight and 13 of the last 16 meetings.

"They are not just an outstanding team, but an outstanding program," La Salle coach John Giannini said. "They are extremely tough at home, winning 25 of their last 26 [games]."

This matchup will come down to guard play. La Salle starts four guards in Tyreek Duren, Sam Mills, Earl Pettis, and Ramon Galloway.

Duren, a sophomore point guard who averages 13.5 points and 4.6 assists, is the Big Five player of the week.

Galloway, a junior transfer from South Carolina, averages a team-leading 15 points. La Salle is 12-3 in games the defensive stopper has played.

Temple boasts arguably the best backcourt in the A-10.

Fifth-year senior guard Ramon Moore is averaging a team-high 17 points. Junior guard Khalif Wyatt isn't far behind at 16.7, while senior point guard Juan Fernandez averages 11.4.

Fernandez, however, must snap out of his shooting slump. He shot 2 for 19 in the Owls' last two games and has shot 27 percent (12 of 44) in Temple's last five contests.

New practice home. The Owls held their first practice at their new, state-of-the-art practice facility Tuesday afternoon inside the Pearson/McGonigle Hall Complex. The $10 million basketball facility is still being renovated. The overall building renovations will be $58 million.

Once completed, the facility's key features will be regulation-size basketball courts (men's and women's), locker rooms with player lounges, recruiting and meeting space, sports-medicine equipment, video rooms, and a strength and conditioning area. There is no timetable for when the renovations will be complete.

Former Owls John Baum, Nate Blackwell, Tim Perry, and Darrin Pearsall, along with members of Temple's athletic department, were on hand for the practice.