Being a college sophomore has its benefits. Especially when you're a hardworking go-getter like Lavoy Allen. Standing at 6'9", weighing 225 pounds, it's hard to miss the Morrisville native on the court. And miss he wasn't as Allen was named Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Week for the week ending February 8. With 13.5 rebounds and 18.5 points over two games, it's no wonder. Allen leads Temple this season and ranks fourth in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a rebound average of 7.8.



The 2008-2009 season team of Owls includes junior Ryan Brooks (2) from Narberth Pennsylvania, freshman Juan Fernandez (4) from Rio Tercero Argentina, junior Luis Guzman (1) from Bronx New York, freshman T.J. DiLeo (11) from Cinnaminson New Jersey, senior Semaj Inge (14) from Camden New Jersey, senior Rafael DeLeon (21) from District Heights Maryland, senior Dionte Christmas (22) from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, sophomore Lavoy Allen (24) from Morrisville Pennsylvania, sophomore Craig Williams (3) from St. Croix Virgin Islands, freshman Scootie randall (33) from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, senior Sergio Olmos (41) from Valencia Spain, freshman Micheal Eric (50) from Lagos Nigeria and freshman Dante Wooten (52) from Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

With Allen pulling down numbers like he's been doing, the Owls may have some pretty exciting games left in the rest of the 2008-2009 season. There are still games left for the Owls to take to the floor against Saint Joseph's on Thursday February 12, Duquesne on Sunday February 15, Fordham on Wednesday February 18, St. Bonaventure on Sunday February 22, La Salle on Thursday February 26, Dayton on Saturday February 28, Saint Joseph's again on Thursday March 5 and George Washington on Saturday March 7. The Atlantic 10 Tournament will begin on Wednesday March 11 and run through Saturday March 14. The Atlantic 10 Tournament games will be held in Atlantic City New Jersey.

The Liacouras Center is the location of all home games for both men's and women's basketball games. In February, 2000, the center was renamed in honor of former temple President Peter J. Liacouras. Bob Dylan has played a sold out concert at The Licouras Center. There was also an NBA Players Party held in The Licouras Center before the 2002 NBA All-Star game. The complex was originally named The Forum at The Apollo of Temple but the Board of Trustees voted to change the building name after Liacouras had served 18 years as the chief executive of Temple before retiring.

Unlike any other facility, The Liacouras Center costs $107 million. $31.8 million was provided by Pennsylvania legislature with the provision that the University could come up with $28.7 from private sources. The Owls will play four of the remaining games at home in their center this season and have played a good number of the games already gone by at the center. With only 1 loss at home, The Licouras Center seems to be where the Owls hit the floor and showcase their talents for both the fans and the opponents alike.