Saturday, November 14th, 12:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Bob Carpenter Center (5,000) -- Newark, Delaware. Television: None. Home Record: Temple 0-0, Delaware 0-0. Away Record: Temple 0-0, Delaware 0-0. Neutral Record: Temple 0-0, Delaware 0-0. Conference Record: Temple 0-0, Delaware 0-0. Series Record: Temple leads, 35-6.

GAME NOTES: The Temple Owls make the short trip to Newark for a season-opening battle with the Delaware Blue Hens.

Temple was tied for fifth place in the Atlantic 10 Conference Preseason poll, not exactly what fans of the proud program expect. Head coach Fran Dunphy has only led the Owls to marginal success since taking over for the legendary John Chaney. There isn't a wealth of proven talent in the fold for Temple, so expectations are a bit muted as this season begins.

Delaware is certainly hoping for a turnaround after going 13-19 last season, including a 6-12 finish in Colonial Athletic Association action. Monte' Ross is in his fourth season as the leader of the program and needs to show that he can elevate the Blue Hens, something he hasn't done thus far.

Temple owns a commanding 35-6 series advantage over Delaware, but the teams have met just once since the 1981-82 season.

Life without Dionte Christmas looks rather bleak for Temple, which may struggle to find consistency at the offensive end both today and all season long. Sure, Dunphy is a good coach who will get solid effort from his players, but he hasn't attracted blue chip recruits since taking over the reigns. The hope for Dunphy is that Lavoy Allen and Ryan Brooks are ready to step into starring roles. Allen posted 10.9 ppg and 9.0 rpg last season, and while the rebounding numbers aren't expected to go up much for the junior, the offensive output should spike. As for Brooks, who scored 10.6 ppg last season, he is fearless with the ball in his hands regardless of the game situation. Keep an eye on Michael Eric, a 6-11 sophomore center who figures to log significant minutes in 2009-10. No one questions Eric's ability to rebound or block shots, but his ability to score could be the make-or-break factor in the Owls' season.

The man who will likely be counted on the carry the load offensively today for Delaware is Jawan Carter, an All-CAA Preseason Honorable Mention selection who ranked sixth in the CAA in scoring last season with an average of 15.0 ppg. Carter hit 62 three-pointers a year ago and is an accurate free throw shooter, two of the keys to his success. The hope is that he will get some help from Alphonso Dawson, who posted 14.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg last season. Dawson is strong enough to score among bigger bodies in the paint, and the fact that he scored in double figures 25 times a year ago suggests that the guard is consistent. Up front, keep an eye on Hakim McCullar and Adam Pegg. McCullar is a transfer from Rhode Island who figures to be a solid scorer and rebounder. As for Pegg, he needs to make a giant step up after doing little as a rookie.

A loss to Delaware in the opener would be concerning for Temple, which needs to build confidence right away. Allen will be the best player on the floor for either team and lead his Owls to victory.

Predicted Outcome

Temple 68, Delaware 55