Old Dominion @ Temple preview

Old Dominion at Temple

Temple will be the last NCAA Division I team to open its season when it faces Old Dominion on Thursday in the first round of the Gildan Charleston Classic in South Carolina. The Monarchs are trying to start with a 3-0 record for the third time in the last four seasons.

For the Owls, it will be the first look at arguably the best recruiting class in coach Fran Dunphy’s lengthy career, with four highly touted freshmen making their debuts. “All four of them have come in and been ready to go right from the start, and it has been exciting,” Dunphy told reporters. “The competitiveness at practice has risen exponentially, and it has been great.” The Monarchs already have two games – and two wins – under their belts. They’ve played excellent defense in beating Towson (57-54) and James Madison (69-53) to open the season.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT OLD DOMINION (2-0): The Monarchs are led by brothers B.J. and Brandan Stith, as well as Ahmad Caver. B.J. Stith has poured in 17 points per game through two contests, Caver is averaging 10, Brandan Stith adds eight and six boards per contest and Trey Porter has given the Monarchs 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds despite averaging just 16.5 minutes due to foul trouble. Old Dominion has held its first two opponents under 35 percent shooting.

ABOUT TEMPLE (2016-17: 16-16): The Owls are excited to welcome back point guard Josh Brown, who was limited to five games last season due to an Achilles tendon injury after averaging 4.9 assists in 2015-16. Brown will combine with Shizz Alston Jr. (13.9 points, 4.1 assists in 2016-17) to give the Owls an excellent backcourt duo, while swingman Quinton Rose (10.1 points) and forward Obi Enechionyia (13.1, 5.8 rebounds) also averaged double digits in points last season. Dunphy hopes the quartet of freshmen – forwards J.P. Moorman II, Justyn Hamilton and De’Vondre Perry and guard Nate Pierre-Louis – will help bolster the bench and elevate Temple to an NCAA Tournament team.

TIP-INS

1. Alston made his last 28 free throws last season, the Owls’ longest streak since Khalif Wyatt sank 32 straight during the 2012-13 season.

2. Old Dominion has held its first two opponents to 26.7 percent shooting from 3-point range.

3. Temple was 15-1 last season when scoring at least 70 points but 1-14 when falling short of the mark.

PREDICTION: Old Dominion 67, Temple 63