The Temple Owls slid into the field with wins in six of their last seven regular-season Atlantic 10 games and return to the Big Dance after a two-year absence. Fran Dunphy's last season on North Broad Street has been filled with plenty of highs and lows, including an emotional victory over UCF in his final home game at the Liacouras Center. Can the Owls string together a memorable run for Dunphy's swan song?
ESPN+ has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel, and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams to help you make smart picks in your bracket.
TOURNEY PROFILE
Best wins: at Missouri, vs. Davidson, at Wichita State, vs. Houston, vs. Memphis, vs. UCF
Worst losses: at Tulsa
Regular-season conference finish: 3rd, American
Polls and metrics: BPI ranked the Owls at No. 70 as of March 10, and KenPom had them a little further down at No. 76. The NCAA's new NET ranking had Temple at No. 54 in its most recent release.
All-time tourney record: 33-32 (two Final Fours)
Coach (tourney record): Fran Dunphy (3-16)
PERSONNEL
(Note: Player statistics are through games of March 15.)
Starting lineup
C Ernest Aflakpui (5.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG)
F J.P. Moorman II (5.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG)
G Nate Pierre-Louis (13.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
G Quinton Rose (16.5 PPG, 2.1 SPG)
G Shizz Alston Jr. (19.7 PPG, 5.0 APG)
Key bench players
F De'Vondre Perry (4.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG)
G Alani Moore II (4.2 PPG, 1.3 APG)
F Justyn Hamilton (4.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG)
Biggest strength: Guard play. Temple brings one of the most experienced backcourts in the country to the Big Dance. Led by first-team all-conference selection Alston Jr., the Owls can get into the lane at will with Alston and complementary pieces Rose and Pierre-Louis. All three average at least a steal and a half per game, making points off turnovers a huge part of TU's success.
Biggest weakness: For as much skill as the Owls possess in the backcourt, they lack scoring in the post. Dunphy uses a frontcourt by committee, with four guys in the rotation. Moorman is the best offensive option, but there isn't enough consistency. If you can contain Temple's backcourt, the Owls are likely going home.
Best player: Alston Jr. The Philly native is the Owls' workhorse at both ends of the floor. He thrives in late-game situations using his dribble penetration to get to the line. Temple has played plenty of tight games, and the senior has developed a comfort with being uncomfortable. The moment is never too big for him, and that's a trait that will serve him well on the stage where the lights are brightest.
X factor: Moorman. The Owls are a different team when he can give them offensive production. He kept them in the game at home against Cincinnati early in conference play and carved out a huge role in their home finale versus UCF. If he can take some of the burden off the backcourt, Temple will be dangerous.
SCOUTING REPORT
How they beat you: Temple thrives when it takes care of the basketball and is able to force its opponent into turnovers. The Owls are in the top 60 in the country in defensive turnover percentage, with Pierre-Louis often charged with shutting down the opposing team's best scorer. Ask UCF's BJ Taylor. Pierre-Louis held the first-team all-conference selection to eight points on 1-of-8 shooting on the final Saturday of the regular season.
How you beat them: Like most guard-heavy teams, Temple has a difficult time sustaining an off-night from the perimeter. The Owls are also subject to defensive lapses with lots of fouling. In four of their past five losses, opponents went to the line an average of 30 times. If that happens in the tournament, the Owls have no chance to advance.
WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY
(Note: All statistics in this section are courtesy of kenpom.com and are accurate through games of March 15.)
NATIONAL RANKS
Offensive efficiency, 88th (108.9)
Defensive efficiency, 86th (99.4)
3-point percentage, 242nd (33.1)
3-point percentage D, 72nd (32.7)
Free throw rate, 187th(33.0)
Free throw rate D, 205th (33.7)
TO percentage, 22nd (15.6)
TO percentage D, 55th (20.8)
HOW FAR WILL THEY GO?
Best-case scenario: Second weekend
Temple has enough scoring from its trio of guards and the experience necessary to win a couple of games. Don't discount the emotional factor of this being Dunphy's last go-around with the Owls. Alston Jr. has made it a point all season that the team wanted to get back here for the longtime head coach, and that extra motivation could serve as the catalyst for a pair of victories.
Worst-case scenario: One and done
The Owls' lack of frontcourt depth and scoring is a serious issue and one they might not be able to overcome. If they get behind early and Alston, Rose and Pierre-Louis are struggling from the field, they will most likely get bounced out of their first game.