Chronicowls, MMX, Post1

At last, cleared of writer's block. I've been telling loyal readers of
Chronicowls that I've been saddled with writer's block. Not really, but
how else to explain lack of inspiration. Yesterday, at 4:55pm, with a
steady rain making for a dreary afternoon outside, the inspiration
poured forth, along with thousands of Temple students, who flooded the
court after a stunning Temple victory over #3 ranked Villanova. To be
exact, it must have been the chants of "We want Kansas"(referring to
Temple's first opponent in the New Year, and the #1 ranked team in the
nation) when I felt the urge to write. Brought to mind a game at
McGonigle Hall in February 1988 (the Owls had just defeated Penn St. to
run their record to 21-1 and were headed to #5 ranked North Carolina,
and James Taylor's Carolina in My Mind was blaring over the PA system).
And of course, the game at the Apollo of Temple(original name of
Liacouras Center) 10 years later where Pepe Sanchez sank three fouls
shots in the final seconds to lead the Owls to an improbable victory
over then #5 ranked Michigan St. And now, another Argentinian guard has
the game of his young career to lead the Owls to a triumph over
archrival Villanova.

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The second half of yesterday's game was one of the finest 20 minutes
I've seen Temple play. They made more than 60% of their shots from the
field, turned the ball over but 4 times, and held Villanova to only 28
points. And while Fernandez' 33 points stand out, let's not overlook
Lavoy Allen's 17 rebounds, Ryan Brooks' 15 points in the second half,
and Luis Guzman's nearly flawless floor game (7 assists, 1 turnover).
The key to the game was a 23-4 Temple run over a 9-minute stretch
encompassing the end of the first half and opening of the second half.

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Too bad more Temple fans weren't at the Liacouras Center to witness the
event. I was surprised, and disappointed, by the turnout. Less than 8500
fans. Even the student section had empty seats. Yes, it's the start of
exam week, but wouldn't two hours of top-flight college basketball be
a pleasant diversion from endless hours of cramming? And I certainly
expected more fans from 'Nova Nation (there, I finally acknowledge their
existence). There were more supporters from Penn State when the Nittany
Lions were at the Liacouras Center the week before. I hope I'm wrong,
but last night's crowd may be the closest to a home game sellout this
season. I'm not including the next home game (a "throwback" event, in
which the Owls will host Bowling Green at McGonigle Hall, where there
are fewer than 4000 seats - bleachers, actually). Perhaps I'll be
pleasantly surprised by the turnout when Kansas (currently ranked #!)
visits north Broad Street on January 2.

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From the interminable lines at the concession stands during half-time,
you'd have thought that yesterday's game was a sell-out, and that Temple
expected a crowd of half that size. The concession stands were
understaffed, running out of beer and one-dollar bills to make change.
I don't know what the lines were like at the ticket windows prior to
the start of yesterday's game, but I do know that it took nearly 20
minutes to purchase seats for the Siena and Penn State games. Now, I
realize that the promotion Temple was running for the Siena basketball
game (show your ticket from the football game that afternoon, and you
were entitled to a $10 ticket for the hoops game) turned out to be a
successful one, but couldn't more windows have been opened so that those
who were taking advantage of the Temple Super Saturday promotion could
have gotten into their seats before halftime? Then again, perhaps that
wasn't such a bad thing that evening, Temple played an awful first half,
and won that game with an exceptional second half. The ticket sales
snafu nearly spoiled what must have been an unprecedented day - Temple
winning its 9th straight football game, and the hoopsters winning their
home opener against a team that had won a first-round March Madness
game last year.

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The oddsmakers yesterday had Temple a 4 point underdog. Were I a betting
man, I would have taken Villanova. Glad I limit my wagers to the golf
course.

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Recommendation for post-game meal and beverages - Less than 10 minutes
from the Liacouras Center, at 5th and Poplar, you'll find WineO. Good
food, excellent selection of wines and beers, to go along with a
fully-stocked bar, reasonable prices, and a casual setting. Ideal spot
before or after a game. A group of 11 of us were nicely accommodated
after the Penn St. game. And while we haven't been inside yet, we
discovered on the way back to our car last night a new spot on Cecil B.
Moore , between 15th and 16th, by the name of Pub Webb. Looks like it
may be an alternative to the Draught Horse.