Chronicowls '13 Temple-Penn

For Philadelphia college hoops fans, it's been an extraordinary week. Four wins over top 25 teams by local schools. Don't recall such a week in my lifetime. Are we witnessing the resurgence of Philly college hoops?
--------------------------
More than 40,000 fans entered through the turnstiles of basketball arenas, college and pro, in Philadelphia yesterday. Almost half of that number, including Chronicowls reader Mike P.,  were part of a sold-out Wells Fargo Center to see one of the finest singular performances we're likely to see in many a year (think Holiday). The Hagan Center on St. Joe's campus was similarly standing room only. Those fortunate to hold tickets saw the Hawks outscore Xavier. And 7700 fans were in attendance at Verizon Wireless Arena  in Richmond to see LaSalle top VCU and claim its second consecutive win over top 25 opponent (first time in 60 years, I read). The Owls meanwhile travelled to Indianapolis for a first-ever matchup with Butler, where a sold-out arena of 10,000 awaited the intrepid Owls. 1 for 12 shooting from Jake O'Brien and Dalton Pepper, an early injury which sidelined T.J. Di Leo for the rest of the game, and a porous defense, anchored by Khalif Wyatt, proved the Owls' undoing against the 9th ranked home side.
-------------------------
The Cherry and White were home this past Wednesday evening for their second Big Five contest of the campaign, against the Quakers of Pennsylvania.  Penn hardly looked the part of a squad that had lost 14 of their first 17 games. And Temple hardly looked like a side that had won 12 of its first 17.
School had returned to session, so the Cherry Crusade were out in full force. And the Diamond Gems had returned from the national dance competition in Orlando. And their vocal support lifted a sluggish Owl team to an expected victory.
------------------------
Second largest crowd (6700) of the season, most of whom it seemed parked in the garage,  were at the Liacouras Center for the Temple-Penn matchup. Must have been the sub-20 degree temperature that drove fans to indoor parking.   The Owls most attractive home game this season is shaping up to be the one where the Explorers from LaSalle will be heading south on Broad to the Liacouras Center.
The victor of that game will likely be this season's winner of the Big Five. That game has to be a sellout, doesn't it?
-----------------------
Before the loss to Butler, Temple had fallen out of the top 50 in the RPI rankings. There are now 4 schools in the Atlantic 10 ahead of the Owls, including LaSalle. Temple has losses to canisius (ranked 117) and St. bonaventure (sitting at 130). An at-large NCAA berth isn't looking probable right about now. But no doubt the rest of the season promises to be interesting. Make your plans to become part of the Temple hoops fan experience. And share your thoughts by posting your comments here on Chronicowls (look for the Post Your Comments link below).