Quick Shots: Temple (NIT Edition)

Davon Reed goes up for a layup(Photo Credit: Associated Press)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor

The 'Canes stay at the basketball mecca will last for one more game. The 'Canes were forced to play most of the game without Tonye Jekiri,who suffered a concussion late in the first half,  but found a way to win, defeating the Temple Owls 60-57.  Jim Larranaga's team will play for the NIT Championship Thursday, against the victor of the Stanford/Old Dominion game,   This was a tough win, a satisfying win, a win that puts the 'Canes in position to finish the season as champions.


Quick Shots

Salute The General--Sheldon McClellan was the best player on the floor Tuesday night, out dueling Temple's Will Cummings.  McClellan was scintillating, scoring sixteen points and grabbing eleven rebounds.  He was at his best late in the game, as he not only put the 'Canes ahead, but was a stalwart on the defensive end.  The 'Canes needed someone to step up for the injured Tonye Jekiri, and Sheldon got the job done.  He used his length and athleticism to rebound, clog passing lanes, and to give Miami a chance to advance.

Scrappin' 'Canes--Temple is a tough, defensive minded team that forces opposing teams to match their intensity.  Miami did so, and beat Temple at their own game.  The 'Canes fought the Owls at every opportunity, and played good defense throughout.  Temple may not be the best shooting team in the country, but to shoot 10.5% from deep shows that the 'Canes forced the Owls to take bad shots. Even without Jekiri, the 'Canes won on the boards 45-41, and kept the Owls off of the boards when it mattered most.  Late in the game, Temple was held to multiple one and done offensive possessions, that's what good teams do. Temple shot 30.2% from the field, and looked over-matched at times against Miami.   Where was this defensive intensity earlier in the season?

Team Basketball--The best teams are usually deep, with the bench contributing more than mere minutes and fouls.  Miami's bench has been inconsistent all season, which has led to Miami being unable to find rest for key starters.  The bench didn't start tonight's game well, allowing Temple to go on an early run.  They recovered, and helped lead the 'Canes to a crucial win.  The best bench contributor was Deandre Burnett, who ran the point well in the second half, and scored a big basket late in the second half.  Burnett scored eight points, and most importantly only committed ONE turnover.  He wasn't the only reserve who stepped into the fray, as Ja'Quan Newton contributed nine points, and Omar Sherman added six more.  The play of the day went to James Palmer, who put down a monstrous dunk in the second half following a beautiful drive to the basket.  Miami's depth was a key factor, and should be a strength going forward.

Gameday Report: Temple

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor

Opponent/Conference: Temple University (American Athletic)
Location: New York City/ Madison Square Garden (Capacity: 19,812)
Date/Time: March 31st/ 7PM ET
TV/Radio: ESPN/WVUM (90.5 FM)

Game Notes

Temple's Best Scorer-- Will Cummings (14.9 PPG)
Temple's Best Rebounder--Jaylen Bond (8.0 RPG)
Temple's Best Distributor--Will Cummings (4.2 APG)
Temple's Best Perimeter Shooter--Quenton DeCosey (36.0%)
Temple's Best Free Throw Shooter--Will Cummings (80.7%)

Team Notes

Temple's Record--26-10 (13-5)
Temple's NIT Seed--1
Temple's Biggest Wins--Kansas(77-52), Cincinnati(75-59)

Players to Watch

Temple has a proud basketball program, a program that is as tough and unforgiving as the city the University calls home . Former Temple coach, and Hall of Famer John Chaney took tough, scrappy Philadelphia athletes and molded them into outstanding teams, teams that made regular appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Current coach Fran Dunphy hasn't deviated from that winning formula, Temple is still a tough, scrappy team that plays good defense, and looks to get to the rim.  Will Cummings is Temple's leading scorer, he's a guard that can slash to the rim, and finishes well around the basket.  He isn't alone in the backcourt as Quenton DeCosey is another talented guard that can score, averaging over twelve points per game. Decosey is a rangy, athletic player in the mold of former Owl Eddie Jones.  Temple's interior players aren't as talented as they were during the Chaney era, but they do rebound, and set screens.  The best frontcourt player is Jaylen Bond, the team's leading rebounder.  This frontcourt isn't overly large, with only two players standing over 6'10'', and neither of those player being major contributors. 

Keys to Victory

1. Pack the Lane--Temple is a team that looks to get to the rim, this team doesn't shoot well at all.  Only two players on the entire roster shoot better than 35% from deep, and the Owls rank 341st in overall field goal percentage.  Therefore, it's imperative that Miami force the Owls to settle for perimeter jumpers, that's best accomplished by packing the lane.  The 'Canes would be best served going to an active matchup zone, and forcing the Owls to shoot contested jumpers. Rebounding is difficult in a zone configuration, however the 'Canes have played zone enough to understand key rebounding concepts.

2. Play Big--The Owls aren't an overly large team, but are very athletic in the frontcourt. It's their athleticism that allows Temple to be a factor on the glass.  Miami has some big bodies who aren't as athletic, but are significantly larger which means the 'Canes should be able to challenge the Owls on the glass.  Richmond had a similar lineup, and the 'Canes' size advantage eventually wore down the Spiders.  Miami should be able to do the same thing to the Owls, provided Miami's bigs are physical throughout . Tonye Jekiri and Joe Thomas should be crashing the boards, and Jekiri should be able to get any shot he wants. The key for Tonye is to FINISH around the rim, missed layups accomplish nothing.  If Miami's halfcourt offense becomes stagnant, dumping the ball inside to Jekiri will be a viable option. 

3. Start Fast--Miami hasn't been sharp early in games all season, that has to end.  Temple isn't a team that will collapse coming down the stretch, they are too tough.  The 'Canes will have to match Temple's intensity early, and then wear them down as the game goes on.  Temple's fans will outnumber Miami supporters, so the 'Canes will have to approach this like a road game: start fast, take the crowd out of the equation.  If Miami doesn't come out and play well from the opening tip, this game may get out of hand, and unlike the Richmond game, will stay that way.