The Penn State men's basketball team is in the Sweet 16, but the Nittany Lions better not celebrate too long.

The Lions' next opponent is 11th-seeded Temple, and although Penn State already has beaten the Owls this season, this Temple team is much different than the one the Lions played on Dec. 9.

Not only do they have their star, Quincy Wadley, back in the lineup, but he is on fire in the NCAA Tournament. Wadley torched Texas for 20 points in the first half on Friday and came back yesterday with a 24-point performance in the Owls' win against Florida.

"It's not going to be an easy one," Penn State guard Joe Crispin said. "They were not the same team that they are now. Not even close."

Now, Temple is rolling through the NCAA tournament even though coach John Chaney predominantly plays only his starting five. But what a five it is.

Forwards Alex Wesby and David Hawkins are both outside and inside threats who can muscle their way to the basket or shoot the outside jumper.

Big man Kevin Lyde uses his large frame and soft touch to power over defenders and get to the glass for rebounds.

And the Temple guard duo of Wadley and left-handed shooter and playmaker Lynn Greer is phenomenal.

"Qunicy Wadley is playing extremely well," Penn State coach Jerry Dunn said. "They know what to expect from each other."

Hawkins said that the Owls can run for 40 minutes with their opponents because Coach Chaney conditions the team in practice to do so. He said that although Temple doesn't play a lot of people, the team on the floor is always prepared for any kind of game.

Yesterday against Florida, the Owls proved it.

The Gators used a host of lineups that kept fresh legs on the floor at all times. Temple played seven players all game, while Florida coach Billy Donovan kept a constant rotation of fresh players coming in and out.

Temple didn't mind, as the Owls led by 20 after the first half and only built on that lead in the second, finsihing off the Gators by 21 points.

Friday night in the Georgia Dome, it is Penn State's turn to take a crack at trying to not only to beat the zone defense of Temple, but also beat a team that is riding a hot streak in March.

"This is a year that I've been blessed. We haven't had any injuries," Dunn said. "They (Temple) understand that there aren't a lot of guys. They keep pushing each other."

The winner of the Penn State-Temple matchup will face either Michigan State or Gonzaga for a trip to the Final Four.