It's Championship Week in college basketball and no city is better represented than Philadelphia...At least in the Atlantic-10 Tournament. Lasalle, St. Joes and Temple all advanced into Friday's quarterfinals.
However, as of late, only one has the consistency to make a splash in the field of 68 this year. That team is Temple University.
The Owls have won 11 of their last 12 games coming into the A-10 tournament, despite injuries to Micheal Eric and most recently Scootie Randall. If I may venture a guess as to how the Owls remained so focused throughout the season I would give credit to Fran Dunphy.
Since arriving from the University of Pennsylvania five years ago, Dunphy has brought with him the discipline which helped Penn capture 10 Ivy League titles in his 17 years as head coach.
I dropped by the Liacouras Center this week prior to their match up with cross town rival Lasalle. What I saw confirmed my opinion.
Fran Dunphy's practices are a clinic of efficiency. Every minute of time is used in the most affective possible way. The schedule rarely deviates from the original copy nestled in Coach Dunphy's back pocket.
It is no surprise why the Owls are currently the only Big 5 team ranked in the top 25.
As Temple prepares for their second round match up tonight, Philadelphia fans may be closely following their progress. After all, they may be this cities only hope.