Post Game Reaction: Nova Advances; Owls Suffer Heartbreaker
BROOKLYN (CBS) -- It was March Madness followed by March Sadness. After Villanova took care of business against UNC Asheville, Temple and Iowa staged and NCAA classic. Temple's heart and resiliency was on display as the Owls rallied late in regulation to force overtime. It took three free throws by Quenton DeCosey with 2.1 seconds left to force the extra session, but a tip-in at the buzzer in the overtime by Adam Woodbury sent Temple down to defeat. Iowa prevailed, 72-70. For Fran Dunphy and his players, it was difficult to savor the Owls' resiliency after a heartbreaking end to their season.
"I was proud of our guys for the non-quit factor in us," said Dunphy. "Obviously, I'm disappointed we're not going to have a chance to play on Sunday, but, again, very proud of our guys. Give credit to Iowa for what they did."
What Iowa did was send Temple down to defeat the way the Owls did to many of their vanquished opponents this season. Temple had prevailed in a host of frantic finishes throughout the 2015-16 campaign. This time, the tables were turned. Senior Jaylen Bond saw his time as an Owl end in a split-second.
"They just beat us to the ball," Bond said. "They were able to get an offensive rebound and the tip-in won the game."
The loss by Temple also denied the Delaware Valley an all-Big 5 Matchup on Sunday. Villanova advanced with ease as the Wildcats blew past UNC Asheville, 86-56. The second-seeded Wildcats broke the game open on a day when another two seed, Michigan State, suffered a shocking defeat. Jay Wright credited Seniors Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu for keeping their teammates focused.
"Great start for us," said Wright. "I think it came down to our two seniors right here, Daniel and Arch having the experience to understand how good of a team Asheville is."
Getting past the first game hasn't been a problem for Villanova in recent years. The second game has been a different story. The Wildcats were upset the past two seasons in their second NCAA contest. Now, Wright and his players get another chance after hearing about their past failures throughout the season.
"It's really exciting for us," Wright said. "All season, if we would have answered those questions and we lost this game today, we're idiots. To talk about that and to know how hard it is to get there would really be unintelligent, and that's really what we told our guys during the year."
The only thing missing Sunday will be the Big 5 atmosphere. It was on display on Friday as Temple and Villanova fans came out in full force. There was a Philadelphia feeling in Brooklyn, but a Big 5 battle in the NCAA Tournament will remain a dream for fans which may one day come true. Wright was rooting for Dunphy in the second game, but would have had another difficult time coaching against his friend.
"A lot of mixed emotions about those games," said Wright. "Growing up in Philly, every time I coach in one of those games, I've got to pinch myself that I'm in it. In Philadelphia, it's like living in Alabama and playing an Auburn-Alabama football game. That's what those games are like, but on the other side, the coaches are really good friends, and I hate coaching against my friends."
