Temple's Brown taking the big shots

Temple's Josh Brown has come a long way in a year. Last season as a freshman, the guard averaged just 2.7 points, and by his own admission, he wasn't very interested in taking the big shot - or any shot at all.

This season, he is averaging 6.3 points in 21.7 minutes and has a much different mind-set on the offensive end.

"Last year I didn't want to touch the ball. I don't know why and it was a confidence thing, I guess," Brown said. "I wasn't putting the work in, but now that I have I feel I can make those plays, so now it is just a confidence thing."

His confidence surged when Brown hit the winning jumper with 2.4 seconds left in a key 61-60 win Feb. 7 at Memphis.

"That built on my confidence," Brown said. "I am now comfortable hitting tough shots in tough environments, in tough situations."

Brown has started two of 29 games for the 20-9 Owls, who visit East Carolina on Thursday before concluding the regular season Saturday when they host Connecticut.

"I consider him a sixth starter," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said.

As improved as Brown is on offense, he is a dogged defender. When Brown is in the game with Will Cummings, it gives the Owls one of the top defensive backcourts in the American Athletic Conference.

"Playing defense with Will is good because he is strong enough to play the [shooting] guard and I am long enough to also play the [shooting guard] and we can switch up," Brown said.

Cummings has also been a help in aiding Brown's offensive game.

"I get on him all the time," Cummings said. "If I am passing the ball to him, I tell Josh I want him to be aggressive and shoot."

And if he isn't aggressive?

"I start yelling at him and he knows that," Cummings said, smiling. "I think when he is aggressive on offense, it helps take our game to another level."

The 6-foot-3 Brown, a product of national power St. Anthony of Jersey City, has developed a versatile offensive game. He is adept at driving to the basket, but this year he leads all Temple regulars in three-point shooting percentage (37.5).

Last season, Brown attempted only eight three-pointers. He admits that he wasn't confident enough in his perimeter game. That has all changed this season.

"Last year when I caught the ball, I would put my head down and try to get to the rim," he said. "I realized that in college you just can't muscle your way in, that I had to hit open shots."

And that is why he worked so much on his outside shooting after his freshman year.

"Guys start playing you differently when they know you can make your shot," Brown said.