Off The Boards By Jack Scheuer – January 27, 2016 Edition

Those Temple Owls appear to be clicking at just about the right time.  The Dunphys have won five of their last six, capped by a solid victory over previously undefeated SMU.  Several factors have been involved, but none more important then the play of point guard Josh Brown.  The 6-3 junior from St. Anthony’s, probably the most underrated player in the city, leads the AAC in assists/turnover ratio, and minutes played, is averaging nine points a game, and plays outstanding defense.  He has committed just 26 turnovers in 18 games, including only one in the last two outings.  He even has 11 blocked shots on the season.  All this while directing an offense that has become very effective.  Temple hopes to keep it going tonight at East Carolina, a team that is 9-11, but coming off an upset win at Memphis last Sunday.  The Pirates are coached by Jeff Lebo, of Carlisle and North Carolina fame.

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Kris Dunn didn’t hurt his MVP chances with his 14 assists in Providence’s win over Villanova.  The 6-4 junior guard has a lot of zip on his pin-point passes, and will very likely be an NBA lottery pick.  The 10th-ranked Friars could be a tough out in the NCAA’s.

                                                                                  Trivia Time:

Who is Division One’s all-time leader in made free throws? Answer at the end of the column.

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You have to have some sympathy for Drexel.  The Dragons are struggling along at 3-16 while Damion Lee is having a banner year for #16 Louisville.  The former Dragon is leading his team in scoring (16.6), steals, and minutes, and has also made 76 of 88 free throws. (86%).

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This and That: Despite it’s loss to Providence, Villanova’s record over the last two seasons, plus this year is 79-11. That’s pretty impressive….D-League news: Louisville’s Russ Smith is with the Delaware 87ers, while former BYU star Jimmer Fredette is scoring big with the Westchester Knicks (NY), and Temple’s Mark Tyndale is playing for the Reno Bighorns….La Salle’s only win this month was it’s upset over Dayton on January 9.  The Explorers visit the Flyers on Saturday.  It could get ugly…. Jackson Donahue has been a pleasant surprise for Penn.  The freshman guard has made 25 of his 64 three point attempts. (39%)….If Saint Joe’s didn’t have that little hiccup against VCU, the Hawks would have a 13-game winning streak heading into tonight’s meeting with UMass

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Answer to Trivia Time: North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough connected on 982 of 1,241 free throws.