CBB 12/30 Temple-Villanova

Let's try this one tonight.

#509 Temple+6(Winner)

Villanova (10-1) is ranked 8th. Temple (9-2) is ranked 25th. Rankings are more about what voters thought you were supposed to be than actual performance.

The Owls are 15th in the RPI, the Wildcats 34th. Why? Temple, with games against Seton Hall, Georgia, Maryland, Georgetown and Texas A&M, has the 33rd-ranked strength of schedule while 'Nova, with a backloaded schedule filled with brutal Big East games, has a schedule strength of 154.

Don't be fooled by the rankings.
These teams are very evenly matched.
The Owls took Nova out last year.
And I think they are better now.

"They are really good," Wright said. "I actually think they are better than last year. Obviously, they gave us trouble last year. In the last few games, Randall is hitting shots, Moore scoring the way he is and Khalif Wyatt now. They've got some weapons. And [Micheal] Eric and Lavoy Allen have been studs for the last few years. And Fernandez isn't even making shots yet."

"We're similar to them," Wright said. "I think we're starting to get a feel for who we are and how we want to use people. I think they might be a little bit ahead of us right now, but we're both at about the same point."

These kids see each other all the time, so this is for big-time City bragging rights. I know Ramone Moore and I used to give him hell when 'Nova was dominating this series. But now the tables have turned, and I know he wants to have a big game and beat us again. I'll be shocked if this doesn't go down to the wire. So I think Temple+6 is a solid play.

Best Wishes!!

Yeah, it was a tight one, and it looked like it might slip away.
But Temple kept playing, got a few breaks and hung tough.
The Owls will be hard to beat because they can lock down on defense.
Should see both of these teams dancing in March.

Congrats and Cheers Winners!!