And so the stage was dramatically set on this final
pre-Super Bowl polar vortexed eve. Here they were, the AAC’s lone two sub-500
teams duking it out for either a Rutgers Redux or a kiss-your-sister split.
Introduced with pyrotechnic fanfare, 5-13 Temple was favored by 4 on its home
floor over 8-12 Rutgers. Remember, these Scarlet Knights had already upended
the Owls by 5 in peerless Piscataway on New Year’s Day.
The basketball world held its breath. And mind you, adding
immeasurably to the Owls’ woes this season—ever since parlaying its early 4-3
record into 4-5 by way of those two loin-numbing, early December losses to
Texass and Texass Southern (by a grand total of two damn points)—was the fact
that the AAC’s playing some mean ball in its own right of late.
Consider its aggregate 127-72 tally to date, well past the
regular season mid-point. Consider that its top three teams sit comfortably amongst
the AP’s top 25. Consider that UConn’s next win should boost them there to boot
(rhymes with hoot).
Inconsequential interruption #1: The intrepid Chronicowls
field team, always in search of a new truth, dined before the game at Kite
& Key, 1818 Callowhill, where the draft beer selection excels. Well, the
bottomless mussels, 4-way shared in a huge bowl full of hot (temp) sweet “soup”
prior to sandwiches, are worth the travel from Erie. Great evenings are built
on great meals, plus respites at Pub Webb afterwards. But we digress.
Now, consider this about dem Owls. Eleven games remain, 6 at
home. Next up, this Saturday at 4 p.m. at Liacouras, is #9 Villanova (17-2).
Oh, and by the way, Temple smoked these same Wildcats last year by 15, to go 3
of their last 4 over the Main Line boyz. And the Owls hardly want to see Villanova
clinch the venerable Big 5 title on the Liacouras floor, now do they? So, can you
spell “jinx”…or “domination”…or do you sense that the impossible’s about to
happen?
That wouldn’t right this season’s ship. But it will (not,
would) feel good. Then, ahead after that for the Owls are two vs. #12
Louisville, one vs. #22 Memphis and one vs. Connecticut. So barring a miraculous
serial moment in the Memphis-based AAC tourney, there’ll be neither tap, lap or
rap dancing on North Broad after conference champion coronation on the Ides of March.
Inconsequential interruption #2: Those coveted, multi-colored,
limited-edition Temple Owls’ scarves, intended for frigid, freezing and just
plain cold weather, drew wide-eyed attention yet again last eve. Should
prospective consumer demand prove out via comments to Chronicowls, who knows,
they may reappear on the open market.
Now here’s an interesting if worthless non-sequitur factoid
proving yet again that life’s seldom fair. Temple’s total 1441 points this
season are just 17 less than its opponents’ 1458. Yeah, that doesn’t change reality
for a 6-13, sub-.333 team. But go figure the power and the glory of numbers and
stats in sports. Without such galvanizing drivel, what’s to talk about, or bet
on.
More to the point factoid: Temple’s 88 points scored last
eve were 6 more than Rutgers’ 82 (and 2 more than Vegas) as the Owls laughed
their 8-game futility streak away with their first home victory in nearly 6
weeks. And did so while nabbing their first conference win this season.
Inconsequential interruption #3: Walking up to the ticket
counters last eve, this commentator was stopped by a nice-looking guy clutching
two tix. Did I need a ticket for the game, no charge? Hell, I’ll take a frontal
lobotomy, no charge? We consummated the deal—thanks again—as I reflected on
this being the second such instance, and on Temple folks being my kinda folks.
You still want more numbers? Temple last night ruled in 20-pt.
scorers (2-0), team rebounds (7-5), blocked shots (3-2), steals (8-2),
turnovers (6-13) and paid attendance (5,039, perhaps one third of whom went
through the motions of appearing in the actual flesh). Not so much, though, in
3-pointers (6-19, .316 to Rutgers’ 10-17, .588), which is why the score closed
so alarmingly.
Anyway, things, for this moment, are looking up. In
basketball as in life, there is always good news and bad. Come what may this
season will end sooner vs. later, yet with valuable lessons learned and a
strong nucleus in the fold for ’14-’15. Seem like an eternity since Temple
trimmed Penn 78-73 on Nov. 9 at the Palestra? It is. But there’s still a month
and a half to go. Let it happen. And besides, who’s watching the bi-polar Flyers,
gestational Sixers or ancient Phils?
Final thought: Our seats are behind those occupied by
residents and staff from a Woodbine, NJ home for developmentally disabled
characters. And they are characters, both knowledgeable and passionate about
their basketball, plus otherwise much like us all. A different contingent comes
to each—yes, each—game through the good graces of generous alums and the Temple
Athletic Department. When you witness such a spirited collaboration, you see a
better world.
