Owls Lose by 1 in OT: Snatching Defeat from the Longhorns: Temple vs. Texas, Wells Fargo Center, 12/7/13

Posted by Chronicowls contributor Tall Phil

 

So there we were at the Wells Fargo Center, where entertainment reigns while, coincidentally, sporting events happen. Here’s a place where employees greet you with “How you doin’” according to a stated Customer Service Philosophy. A hallowed sports venue where the lights and lighting shenanigans so bedazzle that you feel punch drunk roughly 90 seconds in. Fact is, Nick among us, who promised to be our designated lighting commentator before vanishing, is said to be receiving light therapy for heavy lighting disorder, aka HLD. Come in, Nick.

If you picked Temple and the spread, you ended up doin’ good, but that’s a tough way to make a buck. (And to cheer your team on!) Any other bet, not so good, because, of this game’s 161 points, Temple’s nice round 80 fell, well, but a millimeter tragically short. Like a Dalton (45-minute man) Pepper-stepping-over-the-line-on-a-critical-free-throw-shot short).

Early on, looked like a blowout was brewing—the Owls down by a few, more, a bunch, and 11 at the half. But at the buzzer ending regulation, to say naught of the heart-piercing buzzer ending OT, you needed a shower whether you’d played or just watched this lollapalooza. And yes, it very much came down to free throws, which were the Owls’ glaring 15-31 Achilles Heel. (Elsewhere—3 fewer turnovers, twice as many steals and 6 more assists—they done good.)

As Joe in our foursome put it,

Shocking final last seconds…BlogMaster Tim’s first commandment states: You ab-so-lute-ly cannot win without making free throws!!!

Period.

 

Then there’s Scott, he with the keen analytical mind amongst us:

Texas was shredding Temple's man-to-man defense in the first half and shutting Temple's half-court offense. They were up 16 points at one point, and seemingly grabbing every offensive rebound for a total of 21 second chance points versus Temple’s 9. It certainly looked like an easy win for Texas.

 

But Temple hung in there and once Dunphy switched to a zone defense the tide started to turn. Temple fought back to tie Texas at 73 with numerous steals and fast break baskets. That's when Dunphy hurt his Dingle. Dan Dingle left with what appeared to be a turned ankle but returned to contribute 18 minutes in total. Temple could have easily won this game twice. First, Anthony Lee shot 3-9 from the charity stripe, then Dalton Pepper stepped over the free-throw line to negate a shot that went in after all.  That would have at least assured a second OT.

But no, the tough Texas guard made a huge basket to seal the victory. This was a tough loss but one that won't hurt them when the tournament committee meets in March. It was encouraging to see Temple play great zone defense and to get valuable minutes from Dingle, Williams, and McDonnell, but they need to do a much better job of boxing out and rebounding or they are doomed to suffer the same fate when playing teams that have size down low.

Joe again, on the ambiance of the day:

Forget cheerleaders - Diamond Gems are all one needs to live free and smile freely.

Truth be spoken, Joe. Wholesome and talented as each is, they had it going in unison. You go, girls.

 

Good selection of beer - even peanuts for the second half.

No argument, Joe. Recommendation from this IPA drinker who couldn’t find a true IPA: Go with the Red Hook Audible. (Thought I was mishearing when she said Audible. Thought that was sports talk.).

 

Best party preparation this season got us off a fast start

Totally, Joe. Nice twist on tailgating.

 

Loved our second half seats.

Who didn’t, Joe—and brilliant reconnaissance. From a perfectly good vantage point with stunning diagonal view of all the action, at Joe’s urging we established eminent domain in four thrones five rows up, just wide of mid-court for the second half. It was the eye and we the beholders.

Scott again:

Texas roster lists the two big guys #55 and #44 as 6'9" and 6'10". They looked much bigger than Anthony Lee to me.

  South St. [to which we repaired, Copacabana specifically, for thirst-quenching adult bevs served by the proud GM doing it just right] was a great after-party idea. Next home game is 12/18 [vs. Texas Southern, 7 p.m.].

Oh, by the way, anyone find the Owls’ shorts design (using the word loosely) a bit gnarly? Just askin’. I mean, the wing thing’s cool and awl, but need we gag on it.

 

But that’s a rhetorical question, as is, at 4-4, where’re the Owls headed from here. And, come to think of it, why’s the guy offering water squeeze bottles during timeouts in shirt and tie.