THE GOOD NEWS
In Mardy Collins (17.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 85 steals in 2004-05), Temple will have one of the best guards in the country on its roster. In addition, the Owls have three other reliable scoring threats in 6-5 sophomore-to-be wing Mark Tyndale (12.5 ppg), 6-5 junior-to-be wing Dustin Salisbery (10.4 ppg) and 6-11 junior post player Wayne Marshall (6.6 ppg), but all three of them need some work to fully reach their potential in 2005-06.

A very good slasher, Tyndale needs to get physically stronger and must clean up the release on his often-errant jump shot (.216 3PT). Salisbery too often settles for standstill jumpers and must get better at attacking the basket. Marshall must spend countless hours in the weight room to firm up his body, so that he can establish low-post position closer to the hoop.

THE BAD NEWS
There's plenty, actually, aside from all of the negative national publicity from "Goongate." That unfortunate episode, combined with Chaney's age, have made it difficult for Temple to recruit. That's especially damaging because the High School Class of 2006 in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs is one of the deepest in terms of talent in recent memory and most of the biggest gems have already committed to other schools. Another problem is that the 2005-06 non-league schedule figures to be a killer again with home games against Duke, Maryland, Alabama, Miami-Fla. and South Carolina and road contests at Auburn, Princeton, Rutgers and Villanova as well as an invite to play in the Preseason NIT. To avoid yet another NCAA Tournament miss, Temple must tweak its offense. Right now, the Owls are so concerned with turnovers that possessions often consist of just one or two guys handling the ball until there's five or less seconds on the shot clock. As a result, Temple takes a lot of rushed or ill-advised shots late in the shot clock.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"Mardy Collins is one of the nation's best players. If he works hard on his game and excels against the schedule that we've put together, then all of his basketball dreams (NBA draft pick, postseason college honors) will come true." -- said Temple coach John Chaney of his senior-to-be star.

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