USF Takes on Temple in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament

The Bulls, after beating Cal 65 to 54 in the first four in part of the tournament, head to Nashville as the 12 seed to face 5th seeded Temple.

Temple, 24-7 on the year, finished 13-3 this year in the Atlantic-10 conference.  The Owls averaged 76.2 points per game, shooting 47% from the floor as their strong backcourt led the charge.  The Owls also allowed 69 points per game, preferring an up-tempo style of play.  The Bulls on the other hand will look to slow the game down, make each possession count, and get after them on defense.  This will be an interesting game to watch (game tips off at 9:50PM in Nashville, a late start, but worth every second).

Temple is led by senior guard Ramone Moore (6-4 190-pounds).  Moore is averaging 17.8 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and 3.3 assists per game.  He is a big time scorer that can shoot from 3-point range and attack the hoop.  Junior guard Khalif Wyatt (6-4 210-pounds) is averaging 17.1 points per game (shootings 48% from the floor) while averaging 3.2 rebounds per game and has 61 steals on the season, giving the Owls another dangerous shooter in their backcourt.

Center Michael Eric (6-11 240-pounds) who missed part of the season for Temple with a knee injury, is fueling them in the paint averaging 9 points a game and 8 rebounds per game.  Senior guard Juan Fernandez (6-1 195-pounds) is averaging 11.4 points per game (shoots 43% from 3-point range), 3.7 assists per game, and 2.8 rebounds per game.  Junior forward Rahlir Jefferson-Hollis (6-6 210-pounds) is averaging 9.1 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, has 44 steals and 27 blocks on the year, posing a real threat in the paint with Eric.  Sophomore guard Aaron Brown (6-5 210-pounds) is averaging 6.7 points per game and 2.1 rebounds per game and freshman forward Anthony Lee (6-9 210-pounds) is averaging 5 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game coming off the bench.

So what can we expect in this game.  From the USF stand point, they need to come out on defense and set the tone like they did against Cal (allowed just 13 points in the first half).  The Bulls have to play aggressive and attack the passing lanes.  On offense, Collins is once again the key to everything.  If he is able to create, drive and dish, the other players can finish.  Rudd and Gilchrist had some of their best games against Cal and if they can produce at that same level again, it will help energize the offense.  The Owls play most man defense, so the bigs on the USF front line should be able to get to the hoop against the wing players of Temple.

For Temple, they are a solid perimeter shooting team that can attack and knock down their 3's (big time threat from beyond the arc).  The Bulls are one of the best on defense and will guard the perimeter to avoid this.  Temple can run the court, but sets up well on offense and will look for their shots in the Bulls defense, but not many have been able to do that.

Outcome of this game:  This is going to be a real close game and an interesting matchup on paper.  The Bulls played one of their best games of the entire season in their win over Cal and if they can roll with that same momentum to Nashville, they will give Temple all it can handle and maybe even more.