Temple Hosts Boston College in Non-Conference Showdown

The 2-0 Temple host the 1-2 Boston College Eagles Saturday afternoon from the Liacouras Center. Tip off is set for 2pm. Temple is coming off a 90-63 victory over La Salle, while Boston College is coming off a 60-59 defeat to Central Connecticut.

Saturday's game will be the 6th all time meeting between Temple and Boston College. The Eagles defeated Temple last year in Boston. This marks the 1st time Boston College has made the trip to Temple since 2003.

Scouting Boston College

Boston College has struggled out of the gate this season. Early season losses to Central Connecticut and Florida Atlantic is not how Earl Grant wanted to start the season. They did have a 76-47 victory over the Citadel last week. Boston College is led by Donald Hand Jr., who leads the team with 16.3 points per game.

One of the big additions for Boston College this year is Chase Forte from South Dakota. He is the reigning Summit Leage Player of the Year. To start the season, he is averaging 11.7 points per game and 4 rebounds per game.

Even though as a team Boston College has not clicked all together, Temple will have their hands full with both Hand Jr. and Forte. Both players are the primary shot takers for BC. Both are top 2 in field goal attempts and 3 point attempts. Both also excel at getting to the free throw line as well.

Scouting Temple

Temple is coming off a dominating victory over La Salle Tuesday night. Aidan Tobiason got the ball rolling for Temple to start the game. He started 4-4 with 13 points and 2 steals. Even though he cooled down a little for the Owls, Derrian Ford led the way with 22 points.

Temple domianted La Salle with non-selfish basketball and a new aggressive style of play. 3rd year Head Coach Adam Fisher has made it apparent that passing was a point of emphasis for the Owls in the offseason. To start the year they currently have 35 assists to their opponents 17 to start the year.

Temple has dominated the season with their aggressive style of play. 12 blocks and 13 steals through 2 games is evident of the intensity in the Owls. Boston College will need to slow Temple's pace down and force their aggressive play into foul opportunities for themselves.

Boston College is looking to avoid a disasterous start to the season with a victory Saturday afternoon. With two losses already to mid-major programs, Boston College can now afford a 3rd. With ACC play right around the corner for Boston College, it is crucial for the Eagles to get a big road win versus a program with all the momentum.

Temple and Adam Fisher have been feeling the pressure heading into this season. However, after a 2-0 start, the Owls have all the momentum. In a year where the pressure is on for Coach Fisher to make a run in the American and Big 5, coming away with a P5 victory and a 3-0 start would be huge confidence as they approach American conference play and the Big 5 Classic.

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-Adam Mack