Villanova will take on Temple in the Big 5 Classic third-place game. Read more for our Villanova vs Temple prediction and preview.
General Information:
Teams: Villanova (5-4) and Temple (4-3)
Tip-Off Time: 4:30 p.m. EST
Watch: NBCSP+
Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Latest on Temple basketball:
Temple handed Villanova coach Kyle Neptune his first Big 5 loss, defeating the Wildcats, 68-64, on Nov. 11, 2022.
New Mexico transfer Jamal Mashburn Jr. has been the dominant scorer through the early part of the season. The graduate guard has averaged 22.1 points through seven games but only has averaged 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Mashburn is shooting 50% on three-pointers Last season, Mashburn had a small recession compared to his junior year, averaging 14.1 points per game after previously averaging 19.1 points per game in more games. With his new team, he has seemingly been playing his best collegiate basketball.
Temple averages 79 points per game while Villanova averages 76.7. The Owls are eighth in the country in free throw attempts per game (27.1) and 25th in free throws made per game (19).
This is Adam Fisher’s second season as Temple’s head coach, finishing last year with a 16-20 overall record.
The Owls are still without Saint Joe’s transfer Lynn Greer III. He was suspended for nine games for reasons related to his time at Saint Joe’s. He should make his Temple debut against Hofstra on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Latest on Villanova basketball:
It would not be a Villanova preview without graduate forward Eric Dixon.
Dixon is still amongst the best in college basketball, averaging 25.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and two assists across eight games. He is shooting a remarkable 52.8% on three-pointers for a forward.
Villanova coach Kyle Neptune has called Dixon the, “most versatile player in college basketball.”
It is hard to argue that statement.
Villanova’s backcourt has made huge strides throughout the early season. Senior guard Wooga Poplar has made himself a swingman. The Miami transfer is contributing an average of 12.4 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game.
Alongside Poplar in the backcourt is graduate guard Jhamir Brickus. Villanova has a true visionary as its primary ball handler. Brickus sees things before they happen on the court and it’s reflected on the stat sheet. He has a team-leading 5 assists per game, making flashy passes. Since the start of the season, Brickus has grown more confident in both his passing and shooting.