We are going to continue to play the way we have been. It's a great opportunity for some guys to step up. ... I think they will respond to the challenge.

This is going to be the toughest game of the season up to date. I think because of the magnitude of the game. I think because Saint Joseph's is 10-10, under .500 in the league. This is a big, big game for them. It's a big game for us. It's a nationally televised game. Plus it's a tight, tight building. They are right on top of us.

No one wants to come down here for a nail-biter. Yeah, we'd like to make the game easier. ... My life insurance agent would like for them, too.

Temple played a fantastic game. The elder statesman (Temple coach John Chaney) really showed that he knows how to get his team up and he knows how to prepare them for an important basketball game. They did a terrific job not allowing us to score.

I challenged Omar, Mike (Hall) and Regis at halftime and told them: 'You haven't scored yet. You guys have got to step up.' And we responded the way we should at home. I was very proud of the way we finished the game.

I'm not sure where we belong [in the national rankings] and I honestly mean that, but I want to make sure that when we go [to Xavier] that we play great defense, we take good shots, and we play the way we're capable of playing. The worst thing that can happen to us Thursday ... we can lose a basketball game.