March Madness 2011 Predictions: Temple Is a Sleeper in the West

March Madness 2011 Predictions Give Temple the Edge Over Penn State

The Temple Owls may not have won the Atlantic 10 regular season or conference title but that doesn?t mean they aren?t a force to be reckoned with in the Western Region.

The Owls have five players that average double figures in points including Ramone Moore who leads the team at nearly 15 points per game. However, the real key guy for Temple is sophomore guard Khalif Wyatt averages 10 points per game in just under 20 minutes per game.

Diamond Leung from ESPN thinks that Temple could end up being a real ?surprise? in the West.

?Temple shouldn't look past Talor Battle and Penn State, but if the Owls get a date with San Diego State, it could get interesting. The Owls have experienced players with Ramone Moore and Lavoy Allen and are good on defense with Fran Dunphy coaching. Even though they didn't win the A-10 regular season or tournament titles, they won 11 of 12 games heading into the conference tournament. Temple could be a surprise team.?

Michael Bradley from a Philadelphia area magazine The Philly Post thinks that Temple lucked out with their first round matchup.

?This is a perfect set-up for the Owls. Penn State has exactly one good regular-season win on its resume: home against Wisconsin. The 19-13 Nittany Lions rely heavily on guard Talor Battle, who is a special talent but whom the Owls can control with their sticky defense. Things would be easier for Temple if Randall?s foot allows him to play, but even without him, the Owls should be able to win, thanks to a more complete lineup and the know-how to contain Battle. However, don?t expect a masterpiece. PSU beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten quarterfinals, 36-33, and Temple isn?t exactly known for playing with a wide-open throttle. Temple 61, Penn State 56.?

I really think that Talor Battle could be a scary guy to face for Temple but I think the Owls are just too god to ignore.

My big question with them is just how far they can go. With a probable second-round game against SDSU looming could Temple be headed to the Sweet Sixteen.

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