The sting of not hearing their named called on Selection Sunday is still evident for the Temple Owls.
While many teams struggle to recover from the heartbreak of missing the Big Dance, Temple has thrived so far in the NIT Tournament. That success continued Wednesday night, when the Owls blew past Louisiana Tech 77-59 to advance to the semifinals of the NIT in Madison Square Garden.
"I think the guys in the locker room, we want to make a point," Will Cummings said of the NCAA snub. "We're still kind of bitter about it. Our job is to just keep playing good basketball and winning games."
While many teams struggle to recover from the heartbreak of missing the Big Dance, Temple has thrived so far in the NIT Tournament. That success continued Wednesday night, when the Owls blew past Louisiana Tech 77-59 to advance to the semifinals of the NIT in Madison Square Garden.
"I think the guys in the locker room, we want to make a point," Will Cummings said of the NCAA snub. "We're still kind of bitter about it. Our job is to just keep playing good basketball and winning games."
The Owls would start the game like a team on a mission, taking a lead as large as 14 in the first half before heading to the locker room with a 41-33 advantage.
Temple would see its lead shrink to just five with 18:44 remaining in the game, but the Owls would kick it into high gear from there, stretching their lead to as much 18 in the second act.
Quenton DeCosey would lead the way for the Owls, recording a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds to help Temple to a 77-59 win over Louisiana Tech to secure a spot in the NIT semifinals.
"I just wanted to come out and be confident and aggressive," DeCosey said.
DeCosey would not be the only Owl to put up big numbers in the win, as Jesse Morgan added 17 points and Will Cummings pitched in 15 more to help extend their season and college careers.
Making the semifinals of the NIT isn't enough for Temple, however.
"Not satisfied at all," Cummings said of making the NIT semifinals. "I still have two more games in my college basketball career."
"I think I made a statement, 'We're going to win the NIT,' and that's just where I've kind of been focused," Cummings said. "I haven't really gone into any game thinking it's going to be my last, so I just stay confident and do my same routine."
The Owls will look to take one step closer to achieving their goal of winning the NIT next Tuesday, when they head to Madison Square Garden to face off against Miami.
"It's a good a feeling, being able to extend your season, no matter what tournament you're playing in," Morgan said. "It's a great feeling and it will give us some motivation going into New York."
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Temple would see its lead shrink to just five with 18:44 remaining in the game, but the Owls would kick it into high gear from there, stretching their lead to as much 18 in the second act.
Quenton DeCosey would lead the way for the Owls, recording a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds to help Temple to a 77-59 win over Louisiana Tech to secure a spot in the NIT semifinals.
"I just wanted to come out and be confident and aggressive," DeCosey said.
DeCosey would not be the only Owl to put up big numbers in the win, as Jesse Morgan added 17 points and Will Cummings pitched in 15 more to help extend their season and college careers.
Making the semifinals of the NIT isn't enough for Temple, however.
"Not satisfied at all," Cummings said of making the NIT semifinals. "I still have two more games in my college basketball career."
"I think I made a statement, 'We're going to win the NIT,' and that's just where I've kind of been focused," Cummings said. "I haven't really gone into any game thinking it's going to be my last, so I just stay confident and do my same routine."
The Owls will look to take one step closer to achieving their goal of winning the NIT next Tuesday, when they head to Madison Square Garden to face off against Miami.
"It's a good a feeling, being able to extend your season, no matter what tournament you're playing in," Morgan said. "It's a great feeling and it will give us some motivation going into New York."
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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