Welcome to The Holy Land of Hoops

1 game tonight:

Temple vs #1 Villanova, 7pm.

Defending National Champions and current #1 team in the nation face the Owls in a Big Five matchup.

I think Temple is going to try and turn this into a track meet, which...seems like a mistake. They do shoot very well from outside the arc, but I don't think anyone is going to outshoot us at the Pavilion. These seniors have never lost a Big 5 game nor a game at the Pavilion, and I don't think it starts tonight.

Villanova - 82
Temple - 68

billyjack wrote:1 game tonight:

Temple vs #1 Villanova, 7pm.

Defending National Champions and current #1 team in the nation face the Owls in a Big Five matchup.

Nova gets lucky in some ways that they're playing a Big Five team and not a team of a similar caliber tonight- would be a let down type of situation after the big win on Saturday. They should be able to get up for Temple one would think.

Lucky? Hmm, despite recent history, do you have any idea how tough these Big 5 games are? Clearly not. The bullseye is even bigger in these games.

Novachap wrote:Lucky? Hmm, despite recent history, do you have any idea how tough these Big 5 games are? Clearly not. The bullseye is even bigger in these games.

right but Nova knows that going in. If they were playing lets say a similar team- lets say SMU- it could be easy after Saturday to see Nova with a letdown. But with it being Temple, and being a rival like that- that shouldn't be an issue at all...

Something tells me it won't be a 16 point game. Not doubting Nova by any means... but 16 sounds like a lot against a decent Temple team. I think Temple is gonna be pumped looking for the upset. Cats win by 10!

ecasadoSBU wrote:Something tells me it won't be a 16 point game. Not doubt Nova by any means... but 16 sounds like a lot against a decent Temple team. I think Temple is gonna be pumped looking for the upset. Cats win by 10!

You may be right, but I think it's a 16 pt spread because of what Nova usually does in the Pavilion. 3 games this year...40, 16 & 29 pt wins. Not great competition you say... OK. Last year 11 games at the ski lodge and only 1 (vs. SHU) was decided by single digits (9 pts.). 20 of the last 22 pavilion games were decided by more than 16 points. And Nova won @ Temple last year by...16 points.

stever20 wrote:

Novachap wrote:Lucky? Hmm, despite recent history, do you have any idea how tough these Big 5 games are? Clearly not. The bullseye is even bigger in these games.

right but Nova knows that going in. If they were playing lets say a similar team- lets say SMU- it could be easy after Saturday to see Nova with a letdown. But with it being Temple, and being a rival like that- that shouldn't be an issue at all...

Nova was 7-0 last year the game after beating a ranked team. 6-0 the year before.

Tuesday 12/13:
Temple @ 1 Villanova, FS1 - Joe Davis, Donny Marshall

Line: Villanova -15

GumbyDamnit! wrote:

stever20 wrote:

Novachap wrote:Lucky? Hmm, despite recent history, do you have any idea how tough these Big 5 games are? Clearly not. The bullseye is even bigger in these games.

right but Nova knows that going in. If they were playing lets say a similar team- lets say SMU- it could be easy after Saturday to see Nova with a letdown. But with it being Temple, and being a rival like that- that shouldn't be an issue at all...

Nova was 7-0 last year the game after beating a ranked team. 6-0 the year before.

looking in the REGULAR season......
you beat 3 ranked opponents....
12/31 beat Xavier. next game, beat Creighton
1/10 beat Butler. Next game, beat Marquette
2/6 beat Providence. Next game, beat DePaul
so not exactly the best opponents in the 2nd game. Temple better than any of the 3.

2 years ago
11/24 beat VCU. Next game beat Michigan
11/25 beat Michigan. Next game beat Delaware
1/6 beat St John's. Next game beat DePaul
2/7 beat Georgetown. Next game beat Providence
2/14 beat Butler. Next game beat Seton Hall
2/24 beat Providence. Next game beat Xavier
a lot more impressive. But even there Delaware, DePaul, and even Seton Hall when you played them weren't great.

Temple is pretty close to the best opponent you've had in the last 2 years after a ranked win.