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The conventional wisdom is that the Temple basketball team needs to win Friday’s AAC quarterfinal against South Florida (noon, ESPN2) to get at least an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, but the Owls were in the same spot against Memphis a year ago, won, and still were on the outside looking in on Selection Sunday. In order to assure themselves of an NCAA berth this time, the Owls might have to get to the finals. They are a team that has some interesting and useful parts, and for those parts to move the team forward, they will have to follow this five-part plan.
5. No Jump Shots For Jaylen Bond
Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports5. No Jump Shots For Jaylen Bond
Jaylen Bond has a nice short hook shot and can clean up on the boards, but he’s a bricklayer from behind 12 feet. His role is rebounding and put backs, and the better he understands that, the better off the Owls are in the postseason.
4. Josh Brown Avoiding Fouls
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports4. Josh Brown Avoiding Fouls
Last year, Temple had a chance to get Dartmouth transfer point guard Alex Mitola, who ended up as a 10.3 points-per-game backup at George Washington. That leaves them with no acceptable option if starter Josh Brown gets in foul trouble.
3. Help Down Low
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports3. Help Down Low
When the Owls started at 4-5, their major flaw on defense was no help defense on centers. They’ve done a better job over a 16-5 stretch, and must give players like 6-foot-8 forward Obi Enechionyia help in the paint against true centers.
2. Quenton DeCosey Must Demand Ball
Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports2. Quenton DeCosey Must Demand Ball
Sometimes, the only person who doesn’t know that he is “the man” for Temple is the man himself, 6-foot-5 guard Quenton DeCosey, who must demand the ball and deliver at crunch time.
1. Treys For Trey
Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports1. Treys For Trey
One of the things Brown does well is penetrate and dish to Temple shooters like DeCosey and Enechionyia, and the Owls must make treys and win it for themselves for injured guard Trey Lowe, who will miss the season after being in an auto accident two weeks ago.
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