Big test next up for Temple: a visit to Wisconsin
After consecutive home wins over Delaware and Fairleigh Dickinson, Temple (3-3) now faces a major challenge when the Owls visit Wisconsin in Saturday's 12:30 p.m. game at Madison.
After consecutive home wins over Delaware and Fairleigh Dickinson, Temple (3-3) now faces a major challenge when the Owls visit Wisconsin in Saturday's 12:30 p.m. game at Madison.
Not only is Wisconsin 213-23 at home during coach Bo Ryan's 15 seasons, but the Badgers (5-3) are coming off their best game of the season on Wednesday, with a 66-58 overtime win at previously unbeaten Syracuse.
"That was a great win for them and that's who they are, a grind-it-out group," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said.
Ryan, the product of Chester, has led the Badgers to the NCAA tournament in each of his first 14 seasons. Last season Wisconsin lost to Duke in the NCAA championship game.
The leader is Nigel Hayes, a 6-foot-8 junior forward. Hayes is averaging 14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Point guard Bronson Koenig is a 6-4 junior who averages 15.6 points and 2.6 assists.
"Nigel Hayes can play the 3-4 spots and shoots pretty well from the perimeter and is a good rebounder," Dunphy said. "Koenig is a typically smart Wisconsin player."
Ethan Happ, a 6-9 redshirt freshman, averages 11 points and 8.5 rebounds and had 18 points and 15 rebounds in the win over Syracuse.
"It is going to be a great opportunity, a packed house and we will have to bring our own energy out there and play together as a team," said Temple senior guard Quenton DeCosey, who is averaging a team-high 15.5 points.
The Badgers lead the Big 10 in offensive rebounding, with 15.6 per game.
"They are a great team with a great home court fan base and it will be a great opportunity for us," said Temple forward Jaylen Bond, averaging 11.2 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds.
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