Coach: Fran Dunphy (110-57 in 5 seasons at school, 420-220 in 22 seasons overall)
Last season: 26-8 (14-2 Atlantic 10)
Postseason: Lost in second round of the NCAA Tournament to San Diego State, 71-64
Last league title: 2010
Last NCAA berth: 2011
PROJECTED STARTERS
F Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, Jr., 5.6 ppg
F/C Micheal Eric, Sr., 7.1 ppg
F Scootie Randall, Sr., 10.7 ppg
G Ramone Moore, Sr., 15.2 ppg
G Juan Fernandez, Sr., 11.2 ppg
KEY RESERVES
G Khalif Wyatt, Jr., 10.1 ppg
G T.J. DiLeo, Jr., 2.2 ppg
F Anthony Lee, R-Fr.
G Aaron Brown, So., 3.3 ppg
G/Will Cummings, Fr.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO . . .
As was the case last season, when you start out where the Owls are it's not so much about the journey as the destination. Last March they needed to win an NCAA game. They nearly got two. Now, they once again figure to have a good deal of success before the Madness. Yet ultimately they'll be measured by how they fare at the end. Fortunately they have the kind of senior guards who should have a whole bunch to say about how far this group goes.
SHOULDERING THE LOAD
Ramone Moore, Juan Fernandez and Scootie Randall (who's still recovering from an offseason knee injury) are about as solid and seasoned of a perimeter threesome as you'll find. And the reserves can hold their own as well. So the Owls will definitely play through them, especially now that Lavoy Allen is no longer around in the post. While that's certainly a lot to replace, they couldn't be in better hands when it comes to dictating what they want to do with the ball. Particularly when games are on the line.
NUMBERS TO WATCH
The Owls gave up 62 points a game. But in half of their losses, the other team scored at least 78. They averaged 70, yet in half the losses got no more than 61. Opponents shot only 41 percent. It'll be interesting to monitor how much that's impacted by Allen's departure. His presence and awareness at the defensive end made everyone look better.
KEY STRETCHES
Nothing that appears overly brutal. Most of the projected tougher tests are at home, and they haven't lost at the Liacouras Center in a while. But they could get Western Michigan (MAC West favorite), Purdue and Alabama in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic. In early January they have Duke in South Philly, Dayton in North Philly and go to Richmond in an 11-day span. February looks rather managable, but Dunphy's teams usually get better late anyway.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Now we knows how it feels to win a game [in the NCAA]. For the seniors, it's our last chance. We want to take advantage of that. It's always there. When you get a taste of something that feels good, you want more. That's how we feel right now. I can't even imagine what would it mean to be in like a Sweet 16 or Elite Eight. That's what we want." - Ramone Moore
BOTTOM LINE
The expectations are obviously high, as they should be. Allen will be missed. It will help if Randall gets all the way back to what he was when he first got hurt last February. They project as one of the top teams in the Atlantic 10, maybe the best. But whether they win their fourth title in 5 years or not, it's about what happens after that.
FAN INFO
Homecourt: The Liacouras Center (10,206)
Ticket info: 215-204-2981
Website: www.owlsports.com
Radio: WPHT (1210-AM)
