Discovering the Heart of Innovation: A Journey Through Temple University

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Kickoff

• Temple University men’s basketball (12-6, 4-1 American Athletic Conference) aims to maintain its three-game winning streak on Wednesday evening with an away contest versus North Texas (13-4, 4-1 AAC).
• This match is a confrontation between two teams positioned at the top of the AAC rankings, with the Owls and Mean Green among four teams boasting a 4-1 record in conference play (Memphis, UAB).
• Graduate student guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. was acknowledged as the AAC Player of the Week on Monday, following an outstanding 32-point performance in Temple’s 80-77 triumph over Tulane on Sunday.
• The 32 points represented a season best for the 6-2 guard and just one point below his career-high of 33, achieved during the 2022-23 season at New Mexico.
• With the victory over the Green Wave, the Owls improved their home record to an immaculate 8-0, marking the best start to a home season since the 2010-11 Temple side went a flawless 14-0 at Liacouras Center.
• In addition to Mashburn Jr.’s performance, senior guard Shane Dezonie maintained his remarkable form, contributing 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots, and two steals in 32 minutes of play.
• This scoring effort marked the seventh consecutive game in which Dezonie has netted in double figures off the bench.
• Senior Steve Settle III contributed 11 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting, including 1-for-2 from three-point territory. Settle III has been shooting 59.1 percent from beyond the arc over his last seven contests.

Analyzing North Texas

• Like Temple, North Texas boasts an undefeated home record this season (9-0 at The Super Pit).
• Defense is the hallmark of the Mean Green, limiting opponents to an AAC-best 58.6 points per game.
• On the offensive side, Atin Wright is one of two players averaging in double figures at 14.1 points per game.
• Brenen Lorient serves as the top substitute for UNT, averaging 12.1 points per game while shooting 61.2 percent from the field. He also leads the squad with 18 blocked shots.