Temple's Scootie Randall eager to take on leadership role
The Temple Owls have their leader back. That was obvious during the Owls' media day, when members of the team were asked about Scootie Randall's return after redshirting last season.
The Temple Owls have their leader back.
That was obvious during the Owls' media day, when members of the team were asked about Scootie Randall's return after redshirting last season.
"He's like that older guy on the court that knows everything about the game of basketball," sophomore point guard Will Cummings said. "So just having him back is a great deal. His being able to coach on the floor makes everything a lot easier for everyone else."
Owls coach Fran Dunphy took it a step further.
"We need Scootie," he said of the 6-foot-6, fifth-year senior forward. "We need his voice. We need his toughness. We need his shooting ability. We need his experience.
"So, anytime you can get that much of an opportunity to play somebody like that, it's helping your team."
Randall underwent surgery for a meniscus (cartilage) tear in his left knee in the summer of 2011 that sidelined him for the start of last season. Instead of returning in January, he opted to sit out the season as a redshirt. That means Randall is eligible to play this season.
Back then, the Communications Tech High product still was experiencing pain. Now, Randall says he is fully healed and relishes being back on the court.
"I can't wait! I can't wait! I can't wait!" Randall said of Temple's opening the season Nov. 13 at Kent State. "It's less than two weeks away. I can't wait to tip off. I can't wait till the lights come on.
"You know it's just a whole new feeling."
What Kent State might find out is that Randall's leadership quality far exceeds his stellar defense and three-point range.
At practice or in a game, he routinely makes the hustle plays, yelling out instructions, and providing motivation. And his leadership may be more valuable now with the many new faces.
The Owls must replace three starters in guards Ramone Moore and Juan Fernandez, and post player Micheal Eric from last season's 24-8 squad.
Redshirt junior guard Dalton Pepper (West Virginia) and graduate-student forward Jake O'Brien (Boston University) are transfers. Guard Quenton DeCosey, swingman Daniel Dingle, and forward/center Devontae Watson are freshmen.
"So I think with the leadership that we have as seniors, my role is huge in this program," Randall said. "So I think I made the best decision [to redshirt] for me and as well as those guys.
"They needed a leader like me to come back and lead those guys. And I think my vocalness and aggressiveness keep those guys going. And I think that was a good decision by me."
Two seasons ago, Randall was named the Atlantic Ten Conference's most improved player. He averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds on an Owls team that finished 26-8 and reached the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Randall also experienced some disappointment that season. A hairline fracture in his right foot sidelined him for the seven games leading up to the NCAA tourney. Before his injury, he was averaging 17.4 points over an eight-game stretch.
Randall said he is over both injuries.
"My major goal now is to make these guys better," he said. "I just want to be aggressive and play defense on each and every possession.
"I want to make Will better, our post guys better. I just want to make everybody better."
Honors for Brown. Temple return specialist Matt Brown was named national kickoff returner of the week by the College Football Performance Awards organization.
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Blog: Owls Inq: www.philly.com/owlsinq
Coach: Fran Dunphy (444-228 career, 69-27 Atlantic Ten).
Last year: 24-8 (13-3 Atlantic Ten, regular-season champion). Lost in second round of NCAA tournament.
Top returning players: Khalif Wyatt (6-4 senior guard,
17.1 ppg.); Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson (6-6 senior forward, 9.3 ppg.); Anthony Lee (6-9 sophomore forward, 1.1 bpg.); Scootie Randall (6-6 fifth-year senior forward, 10.7 ppg.*).
Top newcomers: Jake O'Brien (6-9 graduate-student forward, Boston University transfer); Dalton Pepper (6-5 redshirt junior guard, West Virginia transfer); Daniel Dingle (6-6 freshman swingman).
Outlook: This is perhaps Dunphy's deepest team on North Broad Street. Expect the Owls to contend for another conference title in this, their last season in the Atlantic Ten. With range from the perimeter, O'Brien will be a matchup problem in the low post.
Projected finish in Atlantic 10: 12-4
*Randall's statistics are from the 2010-11 season. He redshirted last season because of an injury.
- Keith PompeyEndText