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Could Temple be an upper-tier AAC team this season?
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jedclampett Offline
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Could Temple be an upper-tier AAC team this season?
Until this week, I had ruled out the possibility that Temple could compete for second or third place in the conference this season. However, a few recent developments may suggest otherwise.

These developments fall into two categories: I. Temple players, and II. Early season performances of AAC opponents.

===========================================

I. Temple's players

First, Temple has gotten out to a stronger 4-0 start than many would have expected from a first-time HC in his first year as Temple's HC. Winning two away games, including perennial Big 5 rival LaSalle and @ USC is particularly impressive, as is Temple's 8.7 pt scoring margin, and holding opponents to 61.3 ppg.

Second, Forrester's eligibility may be a game changer, even if it takes him a couple of weeks to get fully up to speed (see details below), and even if he isn't able to do anything beyond helping to fill the gap left when D Moore isn't able to play effectively.

Third, Temple has gotten some better-than-expected contributions from three bench players (Perry, JPL, & Parks), allowing Coach M to play an effective 9 or 10 man rotation. This has helped to offset the poorer than expected early season play by Moorman and Scott.

Fourth, when Damian Dunn and Damion Moore's injuries have fully recovered, McKie will be able to utilize an 11 or 12 man rotation. Doing so could have the potential to compensate completely for any subpar performances. We got a glimpse of this potential @ USC when Temple won despite subpar performances from NPL, Moorman, and Scott.

Fifth, beyond the benefits of playing a deeper rotation, a player such as Dunn might have the potential to become the missing offensive ingredient in Temple's back court, to date. Another possibility is that JPL will improve enough that he and Dunn can combine to provide those missing ingredients.

===========================================

II. Early season performances by Temple's AAC opponents

Each of the projected top tier AAC teams have already lost 1 or 2 early season games:

Cincy (4-2), UConn , and Houston (3-2) have each had two losses,
Wichita is coming off a poor shooting and rebounding performance in a double digit loss to WVa, Memphis has had a couple of difficulties (including a hand injury to starter Quinones, a loss @ Oregon, & a tight 1 point win on their home floor), and USF is off to a poor 3-3 start after a season-ending injury to its top player.

UConn is the only AAC team that may have exceeded expectations to some extent with a 3 point home win vs #24 Florida and a tight 1 point home loss to Xavier and solid home wins vs Buffalo and Miami. On the other hand, UConn lost to 2-5 St. Joseph's, 96-87 on their home floor.

All of these teams look beatable
to me - - especially at the LC, or on a neutral floor, at this point - - with the probable exception of Memphis, which Temple will play @ Memphis after the return of their star player, James Wiseman.

If this state of affairs continues, Temple might well be able to earn a split with Cincy, Wichita, and UConn, and might be able to sweep SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, USF, and its games vs. Houston, @UCF, and @ECU.

Winning all these games could result in a potential conference record as good as 14-4, barring upsets @ Cincy, @ WSU, @ Memphis, or @ UConn. This may be a bit too optimistic, but a 12-6 record may well be within the realm of possibility.

In addition, Temple will probably be favored to win at least 5 or 6 more OOC games, barring possible victories over Maryland, Villanova, and Penn. Winning 6 or 7 of these 9 games would leave Temple with a 10-3 or 11-2 OOC record.

If Temple should go 10-3 OOC and 12-6 AAC, they would enter the post-season with a 22-9 regular season record. If they surpass these expectations, they could finish the regular season with 23, 24, or 25 wins.

I should note that the RPI GAMER software currently predicts Temple to finish 18-11 (overlooking 1-2 Orlando Invitational games). However, the GAMER model tends to over-weight the odds that the home teams will win the vast majority of games. Thus, they predict that Temple will lose @USF, @Tulsa, @SMU, @Miami, @Tulane, @Penn, and @UCF. All of these teams look beatable, even on their home floors. If Temple should win 3 of these games and games 2 and 3 in Orlando (or 4 + 1 Orlando game), the actual results would shift from 18-11 to 23-8.

A 22-9 finish would put the Owls in contention for an at-large bid with one or two AAC tournament wins, while 23 regular season wins would make them strong contenders for an at-large NCAA bid, which they could cement with an AAC tourney win.

In the AAC tourney, Temple appears to be strong enough to play very competitively vs. any team except perhaps Memphis. Temple is overdue for an AAC tourney success, and Coach McKie is known to be a tough competitor. This might be our year to win 1-2 AAC tourney games.

I'm not a betting man, but the odds would seem to suggest that if the team remains healthy enough, Temple may well be a NCAA bubble team late in the season, with a solid chance to get an at-large bid, with a 10 or 11 seed.

===========================================
 
(This post was last modified: 12-12-2019 05:54 AM by jedclampett.)
11-28-2019 01:44 AM
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jedclampett Offline
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RE: Could Temple a top tier AAC team this season?
Here's a more detailed explication of how:

The news about Jake Forrester's eligibility may be a game-changer:


1) Though Damion Moore has a history of foot and now back problems that will limit his playing time and may put him out of action for weeks at a time, Forrester is a low-post 6'9" with solid rebounding and defensive skills who can join the committee of PFs who have been handling the 5 position, helping to fill the gap left by DM.

2) Once he gets up to playing speed, Jake's availability may allow JP to focus entirely on playing his familiar game at the 4 position. This could help to boost JP's scoring by 5-6 ppg, whether he starts or comes off the bench.

3) Jake may turn out to be one of the team's best interior defenders. If so, Coach McKie would have the option to play another highly effective stringent defensive unit when needed - - in this case, supplemented by stronger rebounding and shot-blocking ability - - constituted by NPL, JPL, Perry, Parks, and Forrester.

According to the following:

https://bustingbrackets.com/2018/08/09/i...g-class/2/

...(Jake)... "is an excellent rebounder and defender. He has a college-ready body and uses his timing and box-out skills to consistently snag boards. In addition, he has the size and quickness to potentially cover positions 3-through-5 defensively."

Further, with respect to Parks' defensive skills:

"Temple gets a big body in the middle, post defender, & rebounder in Arashma Parks."

https://twitter.com/AdamFinkelstein/stat...4952170496
 
(This post was last modified: 11-28-2019 01:49 AM by jedclampett.)
11-28-2019 01:44 AM
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jedclampett Offline
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RE: Could Temple be a top tier AAC team this season?
12/5/19

After playing well but losing their first Orlando Invitational Tournament game to #5 Maryland, Temple won the next two games vs. Texas A&M and Davidson, and is now 6-1.

Temple's rankings at this point have surpassed nearly everyone's expectations, considering the many challenges and concerns that the team faced during the preseason, given Dunn's injury, uncertainties about freshman players, and a limited 10 man active roster until Dunn's return, due to carrying two redshirts.

Due to its successes and strong SOS in its first 7 games, Temple is currently ranked #44 nationally in the Massey Composite and Pugh Rankings Indices, and is ranked #20 in the RPI and #37 in the Sagarin rankings.

Their Massey Composite ranking is the third highest in the AAC, suggesting that Temple may be a potential contender for second or third place in the AAC.

Further confirmation that Temple may be able to be a NCAA contender has been provided by NCAA's Andy Katz, who has listed Temple as a #8 seed (#29) in his current bracketology.

============================================

Temple players:

.
Quinton Rose had some spectacular performances during the Orlando Invitational, and was declared the Tournament MVP, and AAC player of the week, suggesting that he may, despite his slow start, be capable of ramping his game up sufficiently to win conference honors this season, consistent with his preseason first-team honors.

--Rose now leads the team in scoring (14.6 ppg), FT% (.781), assists, (3.6 apg) and minutes played (31.9 mpg), and after a 9-rebound tournament game, he is now the team's #4 rebounder (5.4 rbg). He is also #3 in steals (1.6 spg) and has averaged 0.4 bpg. Altogether, his statistical productivity is now 32.1 "+stats" (pts+rb+ast+stl+blk) per 40 minutes of play, or .8025 positive stats per minute played this season, to date.

--Rose's statistical productivity (32.1 positive stats per game is now equal to (first-team AAC) Shizz Alston's average productivity last season).

.
NPL went into something of a shooting slump at times during the tournament, but he remains the team's second leading scorer and the team's best rebounder (8.9 rpg) and playmaker (3.6 apg). He leads all guards with a FG2% of .500, but trails in FG3% (.143). In addition Nate also leads the team in steals (1.6 spg) and shares the top shot-blocking position with Dre Perry (0.6 bpg).

--Overall, Nate leads the team with 36.6 positive stats per 40 minutes (0.915 "+ stats" per minute of playing time). This productivity rate, per minute, is a couple of notches ahead of Shizz Alston's last season.

--As one of the team's best defensive players, Nate might be considered the MVP of the team at this point in the season, even after a less than sensational tournament.

.
Jake Forrester's ability to contribute play has already had a very positive impact. He has been a vital addition to the team in Damion Moore's absence, due to a recent slump by PF Hamilton, during his 15.7 minutes per game in his first 3 games with the team. He leads the team in FG% (0.583). On a per-minute basis, he is currently one of the more productive players on the team, with 13.6 pts, 11.1 rb, 0.9 ast, and 0.9 blk per 40 minutes with 26.5 "+stats" per 40 minutes of play (0.66 +stats per minute played).

--Forrester's play during the tournament helped the team very considerably to maintain a strong defensive presence in the low post when most needed. He out-played the other two "5-men" (JH & AP).

.
Alani Moore had a sensational game vs Maryland, followed by a couple of low-key games in the wins over A&M and Davidson. He is the team's third-leading scorer, and has brought his 3 pt % up to .360. His productivity has fallen off slightly, and he is now in the middle of the pack with 24.4 "+stats" per 40 minutes played (0.61 +stats per minute played).

.
Dre Perry has continued to be a key player off the bench, particularly due to his energetic defensive play. He is currently the team's most accurate 3 pt shooter (44.4%), the 4th leading scorer and shares the lead in blocked shots. Like Alani Moore, he has averaged 24.4 "+stats" per 40 minutes played (0.61 +stats per minute played).

.
Monty Scott is starting to get back into his scoring groove at this point, , with an improving FG%, and he has now become the team's 6th leading scorer. He's also getting more minutes (19.4 mpg, on average), in part due to JPL's recent injury. His cumulative "+stats" have moved up a couple of notches after a challenging start, and his recent performances have moved his overall productivity up to the point that he's been an important contributor at times in the last three games.

The rest of the players:
.
JPL had to miss some playing time during the tournament, due to injury, after averaging 16.6 mpg during the team's first 6 games. Fortunately, Scott was able to step in and fill the gap admirably. JPL's productivity through 6 games - on a per-minute basis - was well above the team's average on a per minute basis (16.6 pts, 2.8 rb, 4.1 ast, & 4.8 stl (total 28.3 "+stats" per 40 minutes played, or .71 + stats per minute played).
.
Arashma Parks has surpassed preseason expectations and has had an important impact of his own, in 7.9 mpg thus far. His role on the team is vital due to Damion Moore's absence and Hamilton's playing slump during the Orlando Tournament. He has the second best FG% on the team (0.556). His productivity has been very respectable for a freshman playing the 5 position (23.2 "+stats" per 40 minutes).
.
Damion Moore has only played 2 of the team's 7 games. In those 2 games, he was one of the three most productive players on the team on a per-minute basis, although his playing time was restricted. His return would definitely strengthen the team's play at the Center position, which is now being handled by a committee of PFs. Even if he can only play 10 solid mpg going forward, it could be a big help against team's most competitive opponents.
.
JP Moorman has had a couple of very good games recently. However, his shooting averages haven't yet approached his FG% last season. On the other hand, his rebounding has improved noticeably, reflecting in part that he has had to play more minutes than expected in the 5 position. He's certainly been working hard, and is #4 on the team in mpg. He is the team's #3 playmaker (2.9 apg). His overall productivity has fallen off slightly from last season, however, with 22 positive stats per 40 minutes played (0.55 "+stats" per 40 minutes). Over the past year and a half, he hasn't yet been able to match his average productivity of ~27 positive stats per 40 minutes that he contributed in his freshman year. If he could start to do so once again, the team could "catch fire."
.
Justyn Hamilton has been very inconsistent thus far this season. As a result, he has only played 12.5 mpg, despite the fact that he is the tallest player on the team during Damion Moore's absence. He has, however, been somewhat productive at times, having contributed 20.5 positive stats per 40 minutes, which is about what Alani Moore averaged in his Sophomore and Junior seasons. One of his greatest challenges is to rebound and defend the low post area more effectively. At times, his play has seemed uninspired, suggesting that he may need a morale boost. It would be wonderful if the coaching staff could get him back on track soon.

============================================

Team play overall:

--This year's Owls look like a completely different, more athletic, and much more energetic team, compared to last season. It is like night and day. It is starting to look like a NCAA quality team.

--Coach McKie has done a brilliant job thus far for a first-time Head Coach, and has surpassed all expectations in his first season. He's found a way to get most of his players to give a 100% effort, and has made it possible to play a higher tempo by skillfully playing the deepest possible rotation that he can employ.

--One of the keys to the team's success this year is that, by consistently going with a 9 or 10 man rotation, no player has had to average more than 32 mpg. This has helped to keep the team's starters from overplaying and risking injury; as a result, Temple's starters are more well-rested this season and have fresher legs during crunch time & overtime.

--The team has found a way to win 6 of 7 games despite being somewhat beset by injuries to Dunn, D. Moore, and now JPL. Forrester's activation came at a very crucial time, and his energetic defensive, rebounding, and scoring has inspired many, hopefully including his teammates.

--While Temple remains a very guard-oriented team, the Owls have - remarkably - maintained a 2.6 rebound-per-game surplus, after two prior seasons with hefty rebounding deficits. In addition, the Owls have had a 4 steals per game edge in games 1-7, and are currently #12th in the nation with a helpfully "inverse turnover margin" of -4 turnovers per game. As a result, the Owls have had surplus ball possessions, resulting in 3.57 more FG shooting opportunities and have taken 4 more free throw shots per game.

--Also very helpfully, the Owls are currently 42nd in the nation with respect to the fewest number of personal fouls.

.
CONCLUSIONS:

--Temple is winning games with outstanding defense, and is among the nation's top 25 teams in some defensive categories, such as points scored by opponents (59.4 ppg).

--Temple's average scoring margin has thus soared, compared to last season, and is now 9.9 ppg (69.3 to 59.4 ppg). In comparison, Temple maintained only a 3.2 ppg scoring margin (74.7 to 71.5 ppg) in 2018-19.

--However Temple lags in play-making, and is ranked #248 in the nation in assists per game.

--Perhaps as a partial consequence, Temple's FG2% is among the lowest (#324) in the nation, while the Owls are hitting a slightly subpar 31.8% of their three point attempts to date.

---While Temple's guards averaged 53.6 ppg last season, this year's guard unit has only scored an average of 48.1 ppg this season.

---This reduction in back court scoring fully accounts for the decrease in team scoring, from 74.7 ppg last season to 69.3 ppg this season.

--One of Coach McKie's highest priorities at this point will be to improve his team's offensive performance, while making further improvements with the interior defense.

--One of the keys will be to improve most of the players' FG percentages. One hopeful sign is that A. Moore, Scott, (and Moorman's) FG%'s have begun to show signs of improving. Another is that NPL is hitting 50% of his FG2 shots thus far. In addition, Damian Dunn and Damion Moore are capable scorers, and the team's shooting may improve when they rejoin the team.
 
(This post was last modified: 12-06-2019 06:35 AM by jedclampett.)
12-06-2019 06:09 AM
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Miggy Offline
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RE: Could Temple be a top tier AAC team this season?
I’m a statistical guy, but don’t think it’s necessary to go thru statistical gymnastics to access how good Temple is nor how Temple will fair in future non-conference games.

One just needs to know Temple played Maryland, a top 5 team in the nation, and led them at the half by 5-points, in a game they had 14
lead changes, and which Temple and Maryland were tied with 3-minutes to go in the game.

Temple did that in spite of Rose and NPL combining in shooting only 4-23 from the field. As such, Temple has one of the nation’s best teams. We’ve seen what Temple is capable of. Don’t need polls to tell us how good Temple is.

It’s now upon Temple to learn from it’s mistakes in that game, and and not rely on Rose and NPL as the focal point of Temple’s offense, if Temple lose games going forward. Temple’s pressure defense in the first half should have not been abandoned in the second half. Temple’s pressure needs to be implemented in both halves of a game. Temple’s pressure defense is it’s offense.

It’s clear that Temple McKie has to improve Temple’s half court sets by getting more players into the offense, as Temple’s half court offense is terrible with both Rose and Nate being the focal point of the offense.

To truly utilize their skill sets, Temple has to play a pressure defense as much as possible, and run off of defensive rebounds. As that is Temple recipe’ for success this season.

Scott, Perry, Dunn and Moorman are vitally needed to step-up their games. as they are Temple’s best shooters.

Do agree with prognosticator Bart Torvik who favors Temple in it’s next 11 games. Temple should plays it’s pressure defense more than it has. As long as Temple does that it very difficult for any conference opponent to beat Temple. Didn’t know Mckie would play a pressure defense this season.

If McKie plays his cards right, I see Temple as a top 10-team in the nation, with a 3-4 seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Fully expect the polls to move Temple upward as Temple notches victories. But if McKie backs off
Temple good fortune to date may reverse course.
 
(This post was last modified: 10-24-2020 07:53 PM by Miggy.)
12-06-2019 07:48 AM
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jedclampett Offline
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RE: Could Temple be a top tier AAC team this season?
I'm optimistic enough to think that Temple might have the ability to contend for 2nd or 3rd place in the AAC, and might be able to get a higher NCAA seed than they have gotten over the past few years.

However, many improvements will have to made in order to attain such heights. Otherwise, several of the top 100 teams on Temple's schedule may be able to exploit the gaps in Temple's play the way that Maryland did.

a lot will depend on how well the 3 injured players perform when they are able to play, and on how much players like JPL, Scott, Moorman, and Hamilton will be able to improve their games in the coming weeks.

In addition, a lot will depend on whether or not Nate can improve his 3 pt shooting % and on whether or not Temple's back court can increase their scoring from 48 to 52-55 ppg.

--Some of the concern about back court scoring may be alleviated if Scott can continue to improve his offensive game, and soon after JPL and Dunn are activated.

=====================================

The rationale for going into some detail about team and player statistical indicators is that it helps to tell a more complete story about the team's strengths & weaknesses.

It seems that there is little basis for expecting Temple to be a top 20 team or much higher than an 8 seed (top 32), in part, because starting players such as Hamilton and Moorman have not played near their potential from the standpoint of statistical productivity, and because the team's offensive efficiency is #188th in the nation, due to the team's subpar FG%.

Fortunately, Temple's defensive efficiency, is currently ranked #14 in the nation. Nevertheless, the team's overall (offensive & defensive) efficiency is a disappointingly mediocre #101st in the nation.

Temple appears likely to have some problems during conference play, despite playing well on defense, since the Owls' offense is ranked a dismal #11th in the conference.

Another concern is that the only Temple players who have been highly productive ("A" level, over 0.8 pts,rb,ast,stl,blk per minute played) thus far are Nate and Quinton.

The rest of the active players are somewhat of a motley crew of moderately, inconsistently, and slightly productive athletes (B or B+ level; .5 to .75 pts,rb,ast,stl,blk per minute played).

--However, some (e.g., A Moore, Perry, Forrester) have been key impact players at times, with very strong or outstanding performances in a few games.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Temple has a starting unit of B, B, B+, A, and A+ productivity players at present, from a productive standpoint, which isn't particularly impressive.

Last season, the starters' productivity levels were somewhat stronger (B+, B+, A-, A-, and A).

Of course, "statistical productivity" only tells part of the story, and this year's team is leaps and bounds ahead of last year's team with respect to defensive play, scoring margin, and rebounding.

There have also been some other significant improvements:

--McKie has, thus far, gotten the team to play much more energetically and effectively than his predecessor did the last 3 seasons. He has also proven surprisingly effective as a game coach who has been able to make good adjustments as needed during the course of each game.

--Particularly impressive in this respect has been McKie's ability to transform Temple's interior defense and rebounding, and his use of the deepest possible rotations to keep his starters fresh.

--He has also been quite effective at adjusting the player rotations, by increasing the playing time of those athletes who are performing best in each specific game.
 
12-07-2019 07:24 AM
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RE: Could Temple be a top tier AAC team this season?
(12-07-2019 07:24 AM)jedclampett Wrote:  I'm optimistic enough to think that Temple might have the ability to contend for 2nd or 3rd place in the AAC, and might be able to get a higher NCAA seed than they have gotten over the past few years.

However, many improvements will have to made in order to attain such heights. Otherwise, several of the top 100 teams on Temple's schedule may be able to exploit the gaps in Temple's play the way that Maryland did.

a lot will depend on how well the 3 injured players perform when they are able to play, and on how much players like JPL, Scott, Moorman, and Hamilton will be able to improve their games in the coming weeks.

In addition, a lot will depend on whether or not Nate can improve his 3 pt shooting % and on whether or not Temple's back court can increase their scoring from 48 to 52-55 ppg.

--Some of the concern about back court scoring may be alleviated if Scott can continue to improve his offensive game, and soon after JPL and Dunn are activated.

=====================================

The rationale for going into some detail about team and player statistical indicators is that it helps to tell a more complete story about the team's strengths & weaknesses.

It seems that there is little basis for expecting Temple to be a top 20 team or much higher than an 8 seed (top 32), in part, because starting players such as Hamilton and Moorman have not played near their potential from the standpoint of statistical productivity, and because the team's offensive efficiency is #188th in the nation, due to the team's subpar FG%.

Fortunately, Temple's defensive efficiency, is currently ranked #14 in the nation. Nevertheless, the team's overall (offensive & defensive) efficiency is a disappointingly mediocre #101st in the nation.

Temple appears likely to have some problems during conference play, despite playing well on defense, since the Owls' offense is ranked a dismal #11th in the conference.

Another concern is that the only Temple players who have been highly productive ("A" level, over 0.8 pts,rb,ast,stl,blk per minute played) thus far are Nate and Quinton.

The rest of the active players are somewhat of a motley crew of moderately, inconsistently, and slightly productive athletes (B or B+ level; .5 to .75 pts,rb,ast,stl,blk per minute played).

--However, some (e.g., A Moore, Perry, Forrester) have been key impact players at times, with very strong or outstanding performances in a few games.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Temple has a starting unit of B, B, B+, A, and A+ productivity players at present, from a productive standpoint, which isn't particularly impressive.

Last season, the starters' productivity levels were somewhat stronger (B+, B+, A-, A-, and A).

Of course, "statistical productivity" only tells part of the story, and this year's team is leaps and bounds ahead of last year's team with respect to defensive play, scoring margin, and rebounding.

There have also been some other significant improvements:

--McKie has, thus far, gotten the team to play much more energetically and effectively than his predecessor did the last 3 seasons. He has also proven surprisingly effective as a game coach who has been able to make good adjustments as needed during the course of each game.

--Particularly impressive in this respect has been McKie's ability to transform Temple's interior defense and rebounding, and his use of the deepest possible rotations to keep his starters fresh.

--He has also been quite effective at adjusting the player rotations, by increasing the playing time of those athletes who are performing best in each specific game.

I’m glad we’re discussing some of the central issues regarding Temple’s team, but I do have a somewhat different view.

First, let me say that Temple’s defense is light years ahead of last year as some statistical analysis indicates that Temple is a top 10 defensive team in the nation. I give full credit for that to HC McKie and his staff.

Secondly, Temple is averaging five less points than last year, as Temple’s offense is not as good as last year. While some wil say that’s because Alston has departed, I don’t accept that.

Alani Moore has done a fine job replacing Alston, and even though he doesn’t score as many points per game as Alston did, he’s shooting three’s better than Alston, making more steals, and committing less turnovers
fouls than Alston. McKie needs to run more in-out plays in order to get him more open shots. He should have taken more than 11 fga’s in the Maryland game as he made 6-three’s.

There are two things wrong with the offense. One, it does not appear that the offensive sets are very good. I place that on Mckie’s shoulders.

The second problem facing McKie is his allowing both Nate and Rose, both of whom are not Temple’s best jump shooters to take Temple’s most shots in half court. As Nate is not hitting his three’s, and not getting to the hoop in half court sets as he did Last season. He’s able to shoot two’s at 50 percent (down from last season) only because he’s making so many more steals that leads to easy lay-ups. Better Temple shooters like Perry and Scott should be playing and shooting more.

Temple also needs to play it’s pressure defense way more than it does.

Another solution is for Scott move into the starting line-up for Moorman and have Rose move to the PF position.

I also think Hamilton has Temple off to a good start defensively, and is better than Forrester.,

Everyone knows Scott is Temple’s best shooter and he’s starting to show that.

Another possibility is for McKie start either Forrester or Moorman at Center, Rose at PF, Scott and Nate at the wing, and Alani at PG. Or, that line-up can play together at some points during the game.

Temple should also fast break at every opportunity fiven the skills of it’s players.

Clear that Temple’s under performance has to be addressed. Temple may well keep winning with it’s defense, but Temple would be better off addressing it’s obvious offensive half-court problems. Will see tonight if McKie plays his pressure defense more often so all players will thrive.

But, I fear that McKie will go with his obvious favorites, both Nate and Rose and continue to allow both to dominate Temple’s offense, even though they both are performing poorly so poorly in half-court sets.
 
(This post was last modified: 10-24-2020 08:11 PM by Miggy.)
12-07-2019 08:26 AM
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jedclampett Offline
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RE: Could Temple be a top tier AAC team this season?
After the late second-half collapse on our home floor vs Missouri, I'm tempted to just put this thread out of its misery.

To perform so poorly on their home floor is pretty hard to explain, despite the fact that only 8 Owls were able to go.

JP Moorman is becoming a huge disappointment this season, shades of Obi Enechionya in his Junior year.

A. Moore has been extremely streaky, to the team's overall detriment.

Perry had one very poor game, after being an important role player previously, but if it isn't Perry, it's Hamilton or somebody else who pulls the team down with poor play.

That's why Temple's HC probably needs to go with a 10 player rotation - - 2 or 3 guys on the team usually turn out to flub up every game, and when Coach McKie only has 8 active players, 2 or 3 flub-ups will wreck the ship when it's playing against a top 150 opponent.

If none of the injured guys return to the team in a week or so, Temple could end up dropping to 6-5 before conference play begins.

Even getting Jake Forrester doesn't seem to have been enough for this team, due to streakiness, underachievement by some, and 4 players being injured.

JP - you're supposed to be a leader on this team. Wake up, my man, before it's too late!
 
12-10-2019 04:09 AM
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jedclampett Offline
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Post: #8
RE: Could Temple be an upper-tier AAC team this season?
The St. Joe's game helped to offset a "missourable" performance in the prior game.

Those two games proved pretty clearly that Temple is very vulnerable when they have to go with an 8 man rotation. The secret to their successes has been the ability to play a 9, 10, or 11 man rotation.

Looking back on the Missouri game, a harsh deja-vu of the prior season, Coach McKie honestly might have had a better chance to win if he'd played a couple of his walk-ons 5 minutes apiece going down the stretch.

Against the Hawks, Temple showed what it can do with a deep rotation.

So hope returns....and Damian Dunn will be suiting up very soon.
 
12-12-2019 06:04 AM
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Miggy Offline
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RE: Could Temple be an upper-tier AAC team this season?
Temple had a 13-5 conference record the season before last, that was followed by a 6-12 conference record this past season.

Temple’s problems this past season was not it’s rotation being to limited. It was largely do to Moorman’s (poor shooting) and Forrester’s poor play (excessive turnovers and fouling).

Scott, Perry and Hamilton should have both played more than they did, and Perry, Scott, A.Moore, should have shot way more than they did.
 
(This post was last modified: 10-24-2020 08:25 PM by Miggy.)
09-15-2020 01:03 PM
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Miggy Offline
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RE: Could Temple be an upper-tier AAC team this season?
V
 
(This post was last modified: 10-18-2020 11:30 AM by Miggy.)
10-18-2020 11:22 AM
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