Temple's Coleman feels the urgency
Devin Coleman has seen so much change during his college basketball career. The fifth-year Temple senior has changed schools and changed his roles. But one thing that he has never changed has been his positive attitude.
Devin Coleman has seen so much change during his college basketball career. The fifth-year Temple senior has changed schools and changed his roles. But one thing that he has never changed has been his positive attitude.
The 6-foot-2 product of Friends Central keeps an even keel through the good times and bad, and he has become one of the leaders of a veteran Temple team that is looking to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament that was ever so close a year ago.
Temple won the American Athletic Conference regular-season title this season, going 20-10 overall and 14-4 in the AAC. The Owls have an AAC quarterfinal game on Friday at the Amway Center in Orlando against the winner of Thursday's game between No. 8 East Carolina and No. 9 South Florida.
Coleman began his career at Clemson, and the closest to the NCAA tournament he came was last year, when Temple was the first team out.
So, with no more chances, Coleman feels the urgency.
"This is extremely important," Coleman said after practice Tuesday. "We want to be part of the team that said we got Temple back to the tournament."
The Owls last appeared in 2013.
For Coleman, it is his last chance in a career that has taken its share of twists and turns.
As a freshman in 2011-12, Coleman averaged 6.8 points in 23 games as reserve for a 16-15 Clemson team. He redshirted the next season because of an Achilles injury suffered while doing sprints.
Coleman appeared in 10 games as a sophomore in 2013-14, averaging 5.4 points before deciding to transfer midyear.
Last season, he became eligible for Temple on Dec. 18. The highlight of his season was hitting 6 of 8 shots and scoring 13 points in a 90-77 NIT win over George Washington.
He appeared in 27 games, all as a reserve, and averaged 11.4 minutes and 3.6 points.
"Out of all the years I played basketball, last year was probably mentally the toughest I ever had," he said, about the uneven playing time.
"He is a terrific young man and has been a pleasure to coach," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said.
This season, Coleman is averaging 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds and adeptly changed roles in midseason. He was a starter until Temple suffered its worst loss of the season, a 77-50 drubbing by visiting Houston on Jan. 2. Dunphy wanted a spark off the bench, and Coleman didn't make a peep when told of his new role.
"It's not my place to argue with Coach," Coleman said. "He is a legendary coach, and he knows what is best."
DeCosey an all-star
Temple's leading scorer, Quenton DeCosey, was one of two unanimous picks for the all-AAC first-team. SMU guard Nic Moore was the other unanimous selection.
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