Basketball

7 things we learned about Temple basketball this week


During Temple’s American Athletic Conference Media Day session on Wednesday, third-year head coach Aaron McKie told reporters that he senses growth within the program. He feels as if the culture he’s been working to establish since taking over for Fran Dunphy in 2019 is beginning to take form. And although his current parliament of Owls is young, he wants to win now.

“We have some freshmen and some sophomores we’re counting on,” McKie said. “They have a lot of heavy lifting they have to do, so we’re establishing the culture. We have to continue to create our identity, and that’s going out and defending at a high level and being efficient at the offensive end, and those guys are buying into it. It’s just a matter of getting out there and playing some real games now.”

The Owls have enjoyed far more practice time this summer compared to last when the pandemic was at its peak. It has allowed McKie and his staff to focus more on teaching, and has given them the luxury of patience when it comes to developing players. Temple dealt with five stoppages last season because of COVID-19, which limited how often it could train as a team, build chemistry as a unit. At times that lack of cohesion was reflected in the Owls’ play, as they finished 5-11 in a shortened season.

But this year, sophomore guard Khalif Battle excepts different results. He noted that the team didn’t experience any stoppages this summer. The Owls practiced as a unit. They got stronger as a unit. They trained and developed their skills as a unit. And as a unit, players and coaches are committed to creating a more successful outcome in 2021-22.

“We’re a lot more comfortable with each other,” Battle said.





READ NEWS SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.