Big Five preview: Owls are improved, have daunting schedule

After a 9-22 season in 2013-14, Fran Dunphy and the Owls are looking to regain their form this season and reach the NCAA Tournament once again, something they’ve done in six of the past seven seasons.

Temple bolstered their roster in the offseason, adding 6-foot-9 freshman Obi Enechionyia and transfers Jaylen Bond and Jesse Morgan to their already talented squad. Enechionyia, the team’s only freshman, averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in his senior season at St. James High School in Maryland.

Bond and Morgan are Philly-area talent who’ve made their way back home. Bond averaged 2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds and just 11 minutes last season at Texas, while Morgan averaged 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 2012-13 with UMass. Morgan will miss the team’s first 10 games, after the NCAA allowed him to play in just the second semester this season.

They’ll add much needed balance and depth alongside Will Cummings (16.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds), Quenton DeCosey (15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists) and Devontae Watson (5.8 points, 7.6 rebounds in 19-plus minutes).

They’re set to face five currently ranked team’s (Duke, Villanova, Kansas, UConn, SMU).UConn and SMU they’ll face twice. They’ll need to build their identity early as Jahil Okafor and Duke come to town on November, 21.

The lineup:
Devontae Watson-C
Obi Enechionyia-F
Jaylen Bond-F
Quenton DeCosey-SG
Will Cummings-PG

Key Bench Players:
Josh Brown-G
Daniel Dingle-G
Mark Williams-F
Jesse Morgan-G (Will miss first 10 games)