Three straight conferences losses have deflated the momentum created by the Niners’ hot start to conference play. Looking to reverse that backwards momentum, Charlotte (10-8, 2-3) welcomes Temple (13-5, 2-2) to Halton Arena tonight for the 12th all-time meeting between the schools (Temple leads 6-5).

The Niners are looking to regain some of their fire

Temple, as most are #aware, is a quality program. They score a lot of points, shoot really well from the field and have a winning record on the road (5-3), coming into this game having won two straight (both at home) against La Salle and the rebuilding Maryland Terrapins (LOL). Last season, when things seemed their bleakest Temple was only able to beat Charlotte by nine in Philadelphia. However, Temple converts on greater than 46% of their shots from the field, so it will take a defensive intensity unseen before and an offensive fire to keep Charlotte in this game.

Temple has an offense oriented towards the perimeter being lead in scoring by two guards, Ramon Moore (17.2 PPG) and Khalif Wyatt (16.6 PPG). Moore is shooting 41.1% from the field, while Wyatt is converting 47.7% of his shots which is astounding from the guard position. Should the 49ers overbear on these two players, the third leading scorer, Juan Fernandez (11.6 PPG), will probably be wide open with a hunger to make a basket. Moore, Wyatt, and Fernandez all shoot above 35% from behind the arc, with Wyatt and Fernandez shooting over 40% from three-point range. Making matters worse is the overall size of Temple’s backcourt, which is amongst the largest the Niners will face this season. Working in Charlotte’s favor, especially if Pierria Henry gets his usual share of minutes, is that Temple’s three guards account for 7.3 turnovers a game. Henry will need help from Deuce Brisco, Derrio Green, and Terrence Williams to help force these turnovers. More importantly the fastbreaks can’t end with missed lay-ups, fastbreaks only seem to work when DeMario Mayfield has the ball because he finishes strong every time he can.

Inside, the Owls have had to turn to the 6’10″ Anthony Lee and 6’6″ Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson while Michael Eric has been injured for most of the season. Eric (6’10″) might be seeing his first extended action (logged 7 minutes versus Maryland and looked rusty) since his injury tomorrow and Charlotte’s Chris Braswell needs to be ready to pounce if there is vulnerability in Eric’s game. The team only gets four blocks a game so if Braswell, or even Sherrill, can get their post game working for them their shots that start so low have a good chance of getting up and over the basket. Anthony and Hollis-Jefferson have only accounted for 15PPG to this point of the season, Temple doesn’t run an inside-out offense which will help our frontcourt stay out of foul trouble.

Charlotte has to play almost, if not entirely, like a good basketball team to beat Temple. Braswell needs to make his buckets and pass out of double-teams without throwing the ball out of bounds or to an Owl. The Niners have to, as stated earlier, stay composed on fastbreaks and focus on getting the ball through the hoop. When a wing penetrates the lane they need to play through the foul, unless the foul shooting improves the Niners would be better off coming out empty handed on an and-one situation than bricking two from the charity stripe.

This season’s team is nerve-racking and they do not make it easy on [The] Niner Nation. If they can put together 40 Minutes of well-composed basketball they may find themselves with a win over Temple.

Predictions:

J_Felt: I believe that we will win, I believe that we will win, I believe… oh Henry is still hurt?…that we will lose, I believe that we will lose. Charlotte 67, Temple 79.
C-Pip: The Niners are back! Charlotte squeeks one out over the Owls, 75-73
McFly:  I’d bet against us in this one even if Henry was 100%, if he’s not I’d bet the house.  Charlotte 52, Temple 68.
2k: Niners look to remain undefeated at Halton vs Temple.  If PH can play, Niners win 71-68.  If no PH, Temple 76-64.
Geep:  Niners bow down in front of Temple. Owls 82, Charlotte 77.
NLP:  F*** you guys. Niners 74 Temple 68