[nysmoneyman]

this ain't last years kansas team...much weaker

kansas -650...last game lost to UMASS
temple +425...last game beat the VOLS



Temple (5-3) at Kansas (7-2)

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Saturday, December 20th, 2:30 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) -- Lawrence, Kansas. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Temple 1-1, Kansas 6-0. Away Record: Temple 3-1, Kansas 0-0. Neutral Record: Temple 1-1, Kansas 1-2. Conference Record: Temple 0-0, Kansas 0-0. Series Record: Kansas leads, 5-3.

GAME NOTES: The red-hot Temple Owls travel to Lawrence this weekend, as they take on the Kansas Jayhawks in non-conference action from the Allen Fieldhouse. Fran Dunphy's Owls have won two straight games and enter this tilt off their most impressive win of the season, an 88-72 whipping of then eighth- ranked Tennessee in Philadelphia back on December 13th. Temple now hits the road, where the team has gone a solid 3-1 thus far. That kind of success on the road will be beneficial this afternoon, as Kansas has won 29 straight games in the friendly confines of the Allen Fieldhouse. Still, Bill Self's squad comes in on a bit of a down note, dropping a heart-wrenching 61-60 decision to UMass on December 13th in Kansas City. The loss halted a four-game win streak for Kansas, which fell out of the top-25 with its second loss of the season. This is the ninth meeting between these two teams, with Kansas holding a 5-3 series edge. However, the Owls have won the last two meetings, including a 73-59 decision in Lawrence back in 1993.

The Owls got off to a fast start and never looked back against the Volunteers last weekend, as Temple shot a scorching .554 from the floor in the game. A lot of that had to do with All-American candidate Dionte Christmas' huge effort, as the veteran guard lit up Tennessee for 35 points, thanks in large part to 7-of-14 shooting from behind the arc. Center Sergio Olmos finished with a career-high of 19 points, while guard Ryan Brooks came up big with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. The 88 points scored was a season- high for Temple, which is averaging a modest 71.2 ppg. Christmas is one of the most dangerous offensive players in the country and definitely is the offensive leader on this team. He is shooting .468 from the floor, including .403 from behind the arc and is averaging a steady 21.0 ppg. Brooks is a distant second in the scoring column at 13.5 ppg, followed by Olmos' 12.8 ppg. Forward Lavoy Allen (9.4 ppg, team-high 7.7 rpg) and guard Semaj Inge (9.3 ppg, team-high 36 assists) provide plenty of support.

A sluggish start that saw the Jayhawks shoot a mere .286 from the floor in the first half, did in Kansas last weekend in the Sprint Center, as they trailed the Minutemen by six at the half. The Jayhawks' comeback bid fell short when veteran guard Sherron Collin's layup rolled off the rim in the waning moments of the game. Collins led the team with 19 points in the bitter setback, despite shooting just 6-of-21 from the floor. Sophomore center Cole Aldrich recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, but the team got little offensive support elsewhere. The 60 points scored represented a season- low for Kansas, which is still averaging a robust 81.8 ppg on the year. Collins is the offensive catalyst, averaging almost 18 points per game (17.9). Aldrich has been a force in the paint, averaging a double-double with 14.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per outing. Other young players of note include freshmen Tyshawn Taylor (10.8 ppg) and Marcus Morris (8.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg).

The Owls are coming off a remarkable performance and behind the steady shooting of Christmas, Temple may just be able to end Kansas' lengthy win streak in Lawrence.


Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Temple 74, Kansas 72

[sportsguy04]

Depends what Temple team shows up, the one that beat Tennessee by 16 at HOME or the team that lost to buffalo by 10 and miami (OH) by 16. If Christmas is on his game then Temple has a chance. I think taking the +10 is the better option. But small play on ML is nice reward.