“The Student Section Supports” highlights one game each weekend that is under the national radar and/or has high upset potential. This week we’re looking at top-ranked Kansas’ biggest challenge yet: a road game in Philadelphia.
When: Saturday, 5:30 ET (ESPN2).
KANSAS (12-0). Need to know: Kansas is a deep, respected team, but the ‘Hawks haven’t played an OOC schedule worthy of their name. Currently, according to KenPom, KU has the 268th-toughest slate in the nation. Will it be a culture shock for the Jayhawks?
Could win because … Despite playing on the road and against a slug-it-out opponent, Bill Self doesn’t often let down in big, regular-season games. He’s not batting .900, but his reputation is far from underachieving whenever he has talent. The talent-to-talent measuring stick alone is reason to think Kansas can win by at least 15.
TEMPLE (11-2). Need to know: The Owls only have two losses, and both have come to Big East teams (that ugly, ugly game against Georgetown and an L to St. John’s Nov. 28). If you’re unfamiliar with this team, it’s more than for real: Siena, Virginia Tech, Seton Hall and Villanova lie in this team’s wake. Yes, this is the tough-scheduling Temple you all remember from the John Chaney days.
Could win because … Temple plays absoultely terrific defense. Opponents are scoring 54.2 points per game. That’s the second-lowest total in all of D-I. Home court, dictating a tempo and keeping shots to a minimum often gives less talented teams a chance to steal one.
