Temple boasts pedestrian stats, toughness in the clutch

IOWA CITY — When one looks at Temple's statistics, it's easy to wonder how in the heck the Owls won the American Athletic Conference regular-season title outright this year.

Temple's offensive numbers are pedestrian among conference teams. The Owls (21-11) ranked eighth in scoring, 10th in field-goal percentage, fifth in 3-point percentage, eighth in field-goal defense and ninth in rebounding margin. Temple had one player in the league's top 25 for scoring and one in the 15 for rebounding.

But statistics define programs only so much, and such is the case for Iowa's NCAA tournament opponent this Friday (2 p.m., Brooklyn). Perhaps the most important statistic defining Temple's season is its record in close games. Temple was 9-4 in games decided by five points or less, whereas Iowa was 2-6. That has magnified a toughness within the Owls that belie the statistics. It's also what Temple Coach Fran Dunphy hopes differentiates his team in the tournament.

'The special nature of having close games that we've won,' Dunphy said Sunday. 'If we're involved in a close game, then hopefully we understand how to act during that process.'

Many of the actions in close games are intangible. But there are a few statistics that separate teams in the clutch, and that's where Temple has excelled this year. The Owls lead the AAC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.5 per game. They averaged 9.2 turnovers a game, 1.3 fewer than No. 2 Houston. They guard the 3-point line, allowing opponents just 31.4 percent. They also made the AAC's most 3-pointers at 7.8 per game.

In other words, Temple takes care of the ball, hits 3-point shots and defends the arc.

'They are really sound fundamentally,' Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said. 'They move the ball, they get good shots, they defend, they take care of the ball and they battle you.'

McCaffery, who considers Dunphy one of his best friends, said Temple appears to be a trademark of their coach's personalty.

'They're exactly what you want to be,' McCaffery said. 'They don't turn it over, they take care of the ball, they get good shots, they make it hard for you to score, they rebound. All the things that are important.'

Temple boasts a first-team all-AAC player in 6-foot-5 senior combo guard Quenton DeCosey, who averaged 15.6 points (fourth in the ACC), 6.0 rebounds (18th) and 1.3 steals (sixth). Point guard Josh Brown (5.2 assists) ranked second behind SMU star Nic Moore in assists. Brown was first in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.5. He had the most assists (155) and the fewest turnovers (44) of the league's top 10 guards.

Guard Devin Coleman, whom McCaffery previously courted, shot 40 percent from 3-point range (seventh) with 64 overall (ninth). Forward Obi Enechionyia puts up 11.2 points and blocks nearly a shot a game. Big body Jaylen Bond (6-8, 240 pounds) grabs 8.3 rebounds a game.

Iowa and Temple have two common opponents in Minnesota (both won) and Wisconsin (both lost). This is Temple's first NCAA trip in three years and 32nd overall.

'We know we've got our hands full, but we're grateful to be in the tournament,' Dunphy said.

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com