Filling Empty Holes

With the 2008-2009 season coming and going, the Temple Owls will have a number of gaps to fill for next year's redemption. The Owl's Nest has compiled a "shopping list" of what coach Fran Dunphy might want to look for during the off-season:

- Consistent Scoring
- Center position
- Point guard

Temple will lose three starters from their roster next year: Dionte Christmas, Semaj Inge, and Sergio Olmos. These three absences will leave Temple with a lot of expectations to fill, dealing with these problems.

Here's a look at the team's current roster:

Guards

6'4" Ryan Brooks (SR)
6'4" Juan Fernandez (SO)
6'3" Luis Guzman (SR)
6'3" T.J. DiLeo (R-FR)

Forwards

6'9" Lavoy Allen (JR)
6'9" Craig Williams (JR)
6'5" Rafael DeLeon (SR) *Walk-on*

Centers

6'11" Michael Eric (SO)
6'8" Dante Wooten (SO) *Walk-on*

The Owls have filled spots for this upcoming season at the guard and forward positions. The two players are:

6'6" Rahlir Jefferson
6'3" Khalif Wyatt

One of the major concerns for the 2009 regards who will take the helm of scoring. With Dionte Christmas departing, the Owls will lose their high-scorer. Players like Ryan Brooks and Lavoy Allen will need to step up and contribute.

We will probably see more action from Scootie Randall, who scored nearly 20 points per game in high school.

The next matter of business would have to be the post play presence. Losing 7'0" Sergio Olmos presents problems down low, as his size was the key reason to shutting down some of Temple's toughest opponents.

Micheal Eric, who seemed raw in his first year of eligibility, will definitely make a larger impact coming into his sophomore year. He flashed signs of potential, as his overall athleticism distances him from your average big.

As Temple fans have debated through the recent years, 2009 will once again be a battle for the point guard position. Before the arrival of Juan Fernandez, there was a lot of speculation as to who would control the ball. With another year of experience, Fernandez might just be that guy. He will, of course, have to duke it out with senior Luis Guzman, who would love to see more action on the court.

It's an early recovering process for Temple basketball, and we've got a long way until the pieces to the puzzle are put together, and the Owls refuel for another great run to the tournament.

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