Cornell Big Red: Their NCAA Tournament Win Over Temple Was No Fluke

Cornell, the 2009-2010 Ivy League champion, is one of the sexy picks for college basketball analysts in this year's NCAA Tournament. This year's Big Red, in the tournament for the third straight year, is arguably the best Ivy League participant in recent memory and could play their way into big things for the Ivy League.

Cornell sees its first action of the NCAA Tournament when it tips off against Temple at 12:30 p.m. EST. Here is a look at a few reasons why it will surprise no one if the Big Red moves deeper into the bracket.

Familiarity

Cornell head coach Steve Donahue worked closely under Temple head coach Fran Dunphy when Dunphy led Penn for a decade. Donahue, who left Penn for Cornell back in 2000, led the Big Red to their third consecutive Ivy League championship this season.

He and Dunphy are long time friends who are intricately aware of each other's styles on the court. That should play into the Big Red's favor.

Big Man in the Middle

Cornell has one big advantage on Temple and that is 7'0" center Jeff Foote. His play under the basketball, both scoring and rebounding, will have huge ramifications on the rest of Cornell's offense.

His success in the paint will loosen up the Big Red's scoring opportunities and put more pressure on defenses.

However, one thing Cornell can absolutely ill-afford is to see their big man get in early foul trouble. Foote must stay on the floor.

From Way Downtown

The play of Foote ties into Cornell's ability to hit big shots, especially from behind the three-point line. Cornell shot 43 percent from three-point range during the regular season.

Conversely, Temple held its opponents to only 28 percent from three this season. If Cornell hits its average, their chances of victory go way up.

If Temple keeps the Big Red to 28 percent, a win will be much harder to come by.