Big 5 Season Recap: Temple's rough debut in the American

March 30, 2014

By Michael Guise

@MikeG2511

Calling the 2013-2014 season a disaster for the Temple Owls would be an understatement.

The team won nine games, the least since 1975-1976, and lost 22, the most in program history. 

Fran Dunphy and company had a forgettable year. They were plagued by injuries and all around poor play. The Owls have to put this anomaly behind them and begin to focus on next season, when they'll be looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament.

Junior Will Cummings was the engine for the Owls. The speedy point guard led the team in assists (132) and was second in scoring (488 points). 

But Cummings' value goes beyond the the box score. When he missed games due to injury, the Owls were lost. But the positive sign is that Temple will have three out of five starters. 

Dalton Pepper, the Owls' three point specialist, will be graduating and junior forward Anthony Lee will be transferring. The two combined for  just over 31 points per game and 13.7 rebounds per game. 

Sophomore Daniel Dingle, who received a medical redshirt, and freshman Mark Williams will be expected to take a larger role and produce when they're called upon next season

The Owls were average offensively, that wasn't the issue. 

Defense, however, was a different story, as Temple ranked 300 or below in five defensive categories. 

The Owls allowed their opponents to shoot nearly 50 percent from the field and gave up 78.1 points per game. Dunphy’s team are known for their defense but that wasn't the case this year. Dunphy will have to fix the defensive issues if he wants his team to be able to compete for a conference title and another NCAA berth.

But not all hope is lost for the Owls. 

Despite their putrid defensive efforts, they were in a majority of their games. 

Temple lost 10 games by seven points or less this season. The Owls had opportunities to win games but they couldn't close. 

The team will be able to use those close ones as teaching points and will build off the experience they gained in those close games. 

The Owls also will be welcoming three-star forward Obi Enechionyia into the mix next year. He could potentially slide into Lee’s spot in the rotation, but he will have to earn it in Dunphy’s eyes.

(Will Cummings photo is from the Associated Press and taken by the AP's Mark Humphrey)

(Dalton Pepper photo from NCAA.com and taken by Howard Smith for USA Today Sports)