Content area
Full Text
Simple logic suggested that Temple was supposed to be the team with no legs in the Atlantic 10 championship yesterday against Massachusetts. After all, with only nine players on the team and just six who see significant playing time, the Owls were playing their third game in three days against a Massachusetts team 10-deep.
But in a season that defied logic for Temple, it was the Owls, weary legs and all, making the big push in the waning moments yesterday. Temple was the stronger team down the stretch, outscoring Massachusetts, 20-8, in the final 7:25 for a 76-65 victory.
Temple, which needed a strong performance to get to the NCAA tournament, left nothing to chance and earned the conference's automatic bid. With the victory, Temple secured its sixth Atlantic 10 championship -- the most of any team -- and a spot in the NCAA tournament for the 12th consecutive season and for the 17th time in the past 19 seasons.
But this was anything but a typical Temple season. In fact, it was one of the most tumultuous in John Chaney's long tenure.
This team had to overcome internal conflict and a seven-game losing streak....