2000-01 record: 24-13; 12-4 in A-10 (2nd) Final Ranking: No. 16 ESPN/USA Today Postseason: Lost to Michigan State in South Regional final, 69-62. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Greer 18.2 ppg | Rebounds: Lyde 8.9 rpg | Assists: Greer 5.5 apg | FG %: Lyde 51.5% | 3pt %: Greer 37.9% | FT %: Greer 86.8% 00-01 Stats: Temple | A-10

		Tuesday, Oct. 30 I saw John Chaney at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and he was complaining about his team. They must be good. This ranking, however, assumes that the tough-minded and talented David Hawkins will be back in uniform around Christmas. Hawkins is an instinctive, high-energy player who is great in transition, and can score, rebound and defend. With or without Hawkins, Chaney will again be sneering and ranting at his best player, Lynn Greer, who plays the point and is truly a special player. Greer had as much responsibility as any player in America last year, and will have just as much this year. He is a lefty with a smooth stroke, active hands and a great step-back jumper. With Kevin Lyde locking down the middle and, if his NCAA Tournament performance is any indication, being more of a force offensively, Temple should again be a tough out.

Temple No. 14 in ESPN.com Top 25
Outlook
The ride ought to be smoother this season for one of the newest members of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Owls coach John Chaney, who last season endured a bumpy road featuring a seven-game losing streak and winning streaks of four, six and 10 games. The end result of those streaks was the continuation of another one -- Temple reached the NCAA tournament for the 12th straight time, the fifth-longest streak in the country.

After shocking everyone by coming within one game of a first Final Four appearance for Chaney, the Owls would shock few if they actually got there this season. On paper, they look to be better than last season's 24-13 team. Four starters return, and 6-foot-3 freshman guard Nile Murry could eventually prove to be an upgrade over the one missing starter, Quincy Wadley. Chaney's team is led by a trio of seniors -- 6-2 guard Lynn Greer, 6-9 center Kevin Lyde and 6-6 forward Alex Wesby.

Greer (5.6 apg) is one of the most clutch players in the Atlantic 10, and don't be surprised if he has even more points in him this season than his 18.2 average of a year ago. Lyde (12.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) flirted with entering the NBA draft, but will return as one of the top rebounders in college basketball. Wesby (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) is an unselfish role player capable of scoring, and the other returning starter, 6-4 sophomore David Hawkins (10.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg), is a potent scorer when hot.

Depth has been an issue in recent years, and could be again. Ron Rollerson, a 6-10, 290-pound senior, is back to rest Lyde. But who rests Greer, Wesby, Hawkins and Murry?

What we like: This kind of senior leadership combined with this kind of starting-five talent usually translates to a lot of wins and an interesting March. Lyde and Greer are inside-outside personified, and Wesby and Hawkins score in between.

What we don't like: Last year's team had brutal depth problems. This year should be slightly better, but only if freshmen like 6-8 Glen Elliott, 6-8 Nehemiah Ingram and 6-5 Hawley Smith are ready.

The bottom line: The Owls aren't a favorite to get to the Final Four by any means, but if Chaney's team can stay healthy and peak at the right time, as it did last season, anything is possible.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Lynn Greer	Sr.	G	6-1/170	PTS: 18.2 | REB: 3.6 | AST: 5.6
David Hawkins	So.	G	6-4/215	PTS: 10.4 | REB: 4.4 | AST: 1.2
Kevin Lyde	Sr.	C	6-9/240	PTS: 12.8 | REB: 8.9 | AST: 1.3
Ronald Rollerson	Sr.	C	6-10/290	PTS: 3.1 | REB: 4.2 | AST: 0.0
Alex Wesby	Sr.	F	6-6/190	PTS: 10.1 | REB: 5.5 | AST: 1.0

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Quincy Wadley	G	6-4/200	PTS: 15.1 | REB: 4.6 | AST: 2.3

Temple Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Glen Elliott	F	6-8	Jacksonville/Bolles
Nile Murray	G	6-4	Houston/Klein Forest
Nehemiah Ingram	F	6-8	Milledgeville-Baldwin
Jay Jameson	G	6-0	Lansdale, Pa./Montgomery Country, Pa. CC