Understanding the art of Temple's defense is something many have tried to do for years.

In his 29th year at the helm, John Chaney's defensive style has taken his team back to the Sweet 16, leaving favored teams Florida and Texas questioning what happened.

In both of Temple's tournament wins, the Owls played either a match-up zone or a 1-3-1 zone defense that forced the Longhorns and Gators out of their traditional fast-moving game plan.

It's easy to say that Penn State may have an advantage against Temple, since the Nittany Lions defeated the Owls 66-60 last Dec. 9. However, Temple's defense is not one that can typically be prepared for in practice.

In the win against Florida, the Owls forced the Gators to shoot 36 percent and only 29 percent from beyond the arc. The key to Temple's success is its ability to react to its opposing team's offense.

"Temple's zone is just different," Joe Crispin said. "They play a 1-3-1 and they play a 2-3. The biggest thing is just being on the attack. A lot of times, teams get passive around the perimeter and you can't do that against these guys."

The Owls' ability to jump in and out of their defenses has caused headaches to opposing coaches and nightmares to the players they match up against.

"I'm not exactly sure what they're doing," Penn State head coach Jerry Dunn said. "I don't think anybody does. I have to be honest, they do different things out of it."

Temple's style of defense has sent two teams home earlier than both would have liked. Florida played in last season's national title game, but will be watching it this year.

A lot of Temple's defensive success can be based on the confidence Chaney has in his guard play that stems from Owl leaders Lynn Greer and Quincy Wadley.

Wadley, who did not play in the game against Penn State earlier this season, dropped in 24 points against Florida and has been major reason why this defense-minded basketball team has done so well in the tournament.

"Quincy has been a tremendous help," Chaney said. "He is a player that can shoot the ball. When he goes in, he sets the stage for us being a pretty good team. But if he's missing, he's going to keep shooting. We need him to put the ball in the basket, because those guys, he and Lynn Greer, are always the two guys where the game is going to end up."

Temple's style of play has been sloppy at times this season, but right now it seems to be hitting on all cylinders and causing havoc to its competition.

"You have to be able to make good decisions," Dunn said. "People who haven't made good decisions have gone home against the zone."