Game Preview: Tulsa Continues 3-Game Homestand With Matchup Against Temple

The Tulsa men's basketball team continues its important three-game homestand with an American Athletic Conference game against Temple at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on CBS Sports Network.

The Golden Hurricane (18-7, 11-2 American) defeated East Carolina, 69-58, in its last time out on Wednesday, and has won 13 of its last 15 games. The Hurricane is 10-3 at home this season, and defeated Temple, 63-56, in Philadelphia on Jan. 10. The Owls (19-8, 10-4 American) have won seven of their last eight games, and are 6-4 on the road this year.

TULSA (18-7, 11-2 American) vs. TEMPLE (19-8, 10-4 American)

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 • 5:05 p.m. • Donald W. Reynolds Center (8,355)

TV: CBS Sports Network (Carter Blackburn, Pete Gillen and Jamie Erdahl)

Radio: News 102.3 and AM 740 KRMG and the Golden Hurricane Radio Network (Bruce Howard and Rick Couri)

The Coaches

Tulsa: Frank Haith (Elon '88)

Career Record: 223-136 (11th year) Record at Tulsa: 18-7 (first year)

Temple: Fran Dunphy (LaSalle, '70)

Career Record: 496-268 (26th year) Record at Temple: 186-105 (ninth year)

The Series

This is the fourth meeting between Tulsa and Temple. Tulsa leads the series, 3-0. The Golden Hurricane won earlier this season, 63-56, in Philadelphia back on Jan. 10. Tulsa also won the only previous two meetings in the series – 64-60 on Dec. 9, 1995 in Philadelphia, and 67-60 on Dec. 14, 1996 in Tulsa.

About Temple

The Owls are led by Will Cummings, who averages 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Jesse Morgan scores 12.5 points per contest, Quenton DeCosey averages 12.5 points, and Jaylen Bond adds 8.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per outing. Temple averages 64.9 points and 37.7 rebounds per game, shooting .385 from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range. The Owls allow 60.3 points and 37.0 rebounds, a .389 field goal percentage, and a .320 3-point shooting percentage.

Quick Hits

• Tulsa averages 65.6 points and 37.0 rebounds, and a .421 field goal percentage and .317 3-point percentage. TU allows opponents 61.1 points and 33.7 rebounds per game, and a .400 field goal percentage and a .338 3-point shooting percentage.

• Tulsa defeated East Carolina, 69-58, on Wednesday. James Woodard led the Golden Hurricane with 19 points, and Brandon Swannegan scored a career-high 16 points with three blocks in his first career start. Shaquille Harrison tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks for TU.

• In conference play, Tulsa is outscoring opponents by an average of 64.5-58.8. The Hurricane has shot .417 from the field, while holding opponents to a .401 field goal percentage, and has outrebounded opponents by a 36.7-33.7 margin.

• In conference games, Tulsa ranks second in The American in scoring margin (+5.7 ppg), third in scoring defense (58.8) and second in rebounds (36.7). Woodard ranks third in the league with 14.2 points per game in conference play, while Harrison follows with 13.8 points per outing. Harrison ranks second with 2.0 steals per conference game, and Woodard is second overall with 2.5 made threes per game.

• Woodard ranks 20th in Tulsa career scoring with 1,273 points in 91 career games (14.0 average). He also ranks 11th with 159 career 3-pointers.

• Shaquille Harrison ranks eighth with 163 career steals, and Brandon Swannegan is sixth at TU with 107 career blocks.

• Tulsa's 18-7 record under first-year head coach Frank Haith is the program's best record through 25 games in a head coach's first season since 2001-02 when TU started 21-4 in John Phillips' first year.

• The Hurricane is 14-0 when leading at halftime, 15-0 when it out-shoots its opponent, and 15-0 when it holds opponents to fewer than 65 points.

• Tulsa has won seven road contests this season, including six in conference play. TU won seven consecutive road games from Dec. 7-Feb. 5.

• Tulsa has held 22 of its 25 opponents this season under 50 percent shooting from the field, and 54 of its last 59 opponents, dating back to last year. TU has also held 12 opponents below 40 percent shooting this season.

• As of Feb. 20, Tulsa was ranked No. 48 in the official NCAA RPI. TU holds top-100 wins over RPI No. 30 Temple, No. 83 UConn and No. 90 Memphis. The Hurricane is 3-5 against the RPI top-100 and 1-4 against the RPI top-50.

TU Pairs with Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless in Shoe Drive

The University of Tulsa basketball teams have paired with the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless to host a shoe drive at this weekend's men's and women's basketball games at the Reynolds Center. Fans are encouraged to donate a pair of new or gently used shoes prior to the games. The Day Center encourages fans to donate any size in children, teen and adults' styles. Although sandals are not preferred, men's steel-toed boots are always in need.