Temple vs La Salle prediction: La Salle's new three-point barrage runs into Temple's wall at the rim

La Salle lets it fly

Darris Nichols turned over most of his roster after a 9-23 debut season, and the new Explorers shoot like a different program. Through two games, 54.5% of their shots have been threes, the 14th-highest share in Division I. Last season that figure was 31.5%, which ranked 335th.

They also play faster. La Salle is averaging 74.5 possessions per 40 minutes, 81st nationally, while Temple sits at 67, 304th. Two games is a thin sample, and one came in a 94-55 loss at No. 10 Houston, but the intent is clear.

The makes haven't caught up. La Salle is hitting 31.3% from deep, 218th. Temple's opener offers a reason for optimism anyway: Central Connecticut shot 38.1% from three against the Owls, a mark that ranks 316th.

Nothing easy inside

The threes may be a necessity. La Salle is making 39.3% of its two-pointers, 343rd in the country. Temple held Central Connecticut to 33.3% inside the arc, 14th nationally, and blocked 17.9% of its two-point tries.

Baboucarr Njie, the UTSA transfer, set that tone off the bench with 12 rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes. If the Explorers can't get to the rim, the game lives and dies on their jump shots.

La Salle's defensive glass is another worry. The Explorers have grabbed only 60.9% of opponents' misses, 328th. Temple didn't chase offensive boards in its opener, though, posting a 24.2% offensive rebound rate that ranked 320th.

Temple's rebuilt guard rotation

Adam Fisher enters his fourth season at 49-51, and he is leaning on newcomers. Only 34.5% of last season's minutes return. USC transfer Jordan Marsh carried the opener with 16 points on a 29.1% usage rate, though he went 2 of 9 from three.

Derrian Ford is the bigger question. He averaged 18.1 points last season but came off the bench for 5 points in 19 minutes against Central Connecticut.

Temple also stopped getting to the line. Its free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) was 16.9%, 359th. Last season the Owls ranked 47th. La Salle's defense has fouled freely, allowing a 45.5% free throw rate that ranks 298th, so this is a spot where Temple can return to last season's identity.

La Salle's shooters to watch

Anthony Finkley, the former Saint Joseph's sixth man, has won a starting job and made 5 of 9 threes. That is a sharp turn from his 28.8% last season on Hawk Hill.

Kam Burton has volume: 20 threes attempted in two games, after hitting 42.7% at Stephen F. Austin last season. Preseason all-conference pick Rob Dockery is using 34.4% of possessions while he is on the floor, but he is shooting 40% from the field.

Rivalry, rest and the market

Temple leads the series 82-43 and won the last meeting 90-63. La Salle's 2-0 run to the over came against Houston and LIU, and the Explorers beat LIU 88-80 on Nov. 7.

Temple will have 13 days off when it tips at John Glaser Arena at 2 p.m. Sunday. La Salle will have 8.

The Owls led Central Connecticut 36-16 at halftime, then lost the second half and failed to cover. No spread or total had posted as of Nov. 8. Last season's adjusted net ratings had Temple 165th and La Salle 237th. With both rosters this new, treat those as a loose guide.