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Temple Two Wins Away From NIT Crown

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- There was a lot of disappointment on North Broad Street when the Temple Owls were left out of the field of this year's NCAA Tournament.

Temple instead had to settle for the NIT, but the Owls have made the most of the opportunity, advancing to the semifinals where they will play the University of Miami Tuesday night in New York City.

"We were certainly devastated that Sunday evening (of the NCAA Tournament selection show)," Temple head coach Fran Dunphy tells KYW Newsradio. "But I give great credit to our guys, they stepped up and really took advantage of the NIT and what it has to offer. We've had three good wins and we know what we're facing tomorrow night against a very talented Miami team."

Listen to the entire interview with Temple's Fran Dunphy:

 

Now over the years there have been several teams that were shunned by the NCAA Tournament Committee that then fell flat on their face in the NIT. Dunphy talks about his team being able to get past the disappointment of the NCAA snub.

"I think you can talk about it all you want, but until you play the next game, then that's when you know whether or not your guys are ready," Dunphy says. "I would give Will Cummings much of that credit, he sort of strapped us on his back against Bucknell and would refuse to let us lose. I think since then we've taken on a pretty good way about ourselves right now."

Cummings, a senior guard, has been outstanding in this tournament, averaging 22 points in the Owls three wins over Bucknell, George Washington and Louisiana Tech. Overall this season Cummings is averaging a team high 14.9 ppg for the 26-10 Owls.

This will be the first meeting between Temple and Miami since 2005 (73-56 Temple win). The Hurricanes are 24-12 this season and they beat North Carolina Central, Alabama and Richmond to reach New York. Miami has played nip and tuck games throughout this NIT as their three wins are by a total of 13 points.

"Always the concern is how they defend you and they have a good plan defensively," Dunphy says. "They have multiple ways of attacking you on the offensive end. They are good inside, they are talented outside."

Miami has a great point guard named Angel Rodriguez, but it is looking like the redshirt junior is unlikely to play because of injury. Redshirt junior Sheldon McClellan paces Miami in scoring at 14.4 ppg.

The other NIT semifinal tomorrow night will feature Old Dominion taking on Stanford (9:00pm start).

Temple and Miami tip-off at 7:00pm.

The two winners tomorrow night meet for the NIT title on Thursday.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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