Chronicowls '11, Post 3 (Temple-Akron)

The Temple and Akron men's basketball teams were in action yesterday afternoon at the Liacouras Center. And while 3800 fans were reportedly in attendance for the hoops game, greater attention was focused upon other activities of both schools' athletic departments. While the basketball game was in session, the Akron men's soccer team was winning the school's first national championship in any sport, prevailing over Louisville in the NCAA Division 1 soccer final. And Temple fans were following the rapidly unfolding saga of football coach Al Golden, who, at about the same time the basketball team was putting the finishing touches on an easy victory, announced that he had received and would be accepting an offer to be the next head coach of University of Miami (Florida). Even Owlscoop, which usually has a running twitter stream covering the basketball game, interrupted coverage of the hoops game to offer latest on coach Golden.
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As far as the size of the crowd was concerned , Owlscoop's tweet of "Pathetically small crowd at the Liacouras Center for today's Temple-Akron game" sums it up best. Good news - the pep band was in full force, and spirited as well. Bad news, the pep band outnumbered the student body in attendance.
Studying for finals, I guess.
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Proceeds from the 50-50 raffle yesterday supported the dance team (aka Diamond gems). We purchased a string of tickets. Once again, no one in our crowd heard the announcement of the winning ticket. The dance team was especially inspired, as their second-half performance was their finest of the season. Well synchronized.
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Allen. Or Alan. Must not be a very popular name among Philadelphia hoops fans. But I give credit to the Athletic Department for making the effort to promote the game, and one of its high-profile players. Anyone with the first or last name of "Allen" or "Alan" was entitled to a heavily discounted ticket for yesterday's game.
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With yesterday's win, the Owls have now won 12 straight in the Liacouras Center. Defense has been the key to Temple's start. The Owls lead the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense (56.6 ppg.) and rank 11th nationally in the category. Georgetown's 65 points were the most an opponent has scored against Temple all season. A side note - yesterday's win was Temple's first ever over Akron.
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Encouraging signs from yesterday's victory. Akron made their first three shots. Then they made three of their next 27 shots. To end the half, Temple scored 16 consecutive points, stretching a 24-15 lead to 40-15 at the half. Oppressive defense which held the Zips to nearly 30 points below their season average.For the Owls, twice as many assists (19) as turnovers (9). Shooting better than 50% from the field. Balanced scoring. Ten Owl players scored. Four Owls scored in double figures. Five, if you combine the points of Lavoy Allen and Juan Fernandez.
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Congratulations to Coach Golden. He leaves in good shape a once-downtrodden football program. I was among those who expected he would take over at Penn State for Joe Paterno. But perhaps he may end up there in a few years. Of course, whoever succeeds JoePa will have enormous shoes to fill. Probably unrealistic expectations to fulfill as well. Quite likely that whoever follows Joe as Penn State head football coach will not be given a great deal of time to meet those lofty expectations. And in several years Penn State will be looking for a coach again. Enter Al Golden.