The Question:
Which defense is more fearsome?

Temple Owls		Cincinnati Bearcats
PTS ALLOWED: 53.8 | DEF. FG %: 35.5 By Jay Bilas Special to ESPN.com Cincinnati's defense is the meanest and most intimidating to look at, but Temple's zone is the toughest defense to figure out. Several coaches have told me that they know how best to beat Temple's zone, and coach after coach goes home with an L. Cincinnati's defense gets into your face, but Temple's defense gets into your head. Cincinnati makes it tough for you to get up a clean shot in the painted area, but Temple makes it tough for you to throw a pass and have it get to the intended target. The Owls slap at the ball, knock it away from behind, take it right out of your hands and funnel you into bad areas on the court. They angle you into shot-blockers, force you to take shots that are rushed or just plain bad. By the end of the game, they have you thinking about how to do the easiest things in the game, and in making you think, they've taken away your ability to react. Temple's matchup zone is holding opponents to a mere 49 points per game since Pepe Sanchez returned from an eight-game absence. Teams shoot only 35 percent against Temple, which keeps the Owls in games. This defense is unlike any other in the nation, and it is a mentally draining experience to play against it. There is no way for a team to simulate the slides, movements, anticipation, size and shot-blocking ability they will see in Temple's zone, so all of it seems new. By the time most teams feel like they have it figured out, the pilot is telling the team to put seatbacks and tray tables in their full and upright position. Sanchez makes the Temple defense the toughest to score against because he is, quite simply, the best help-and-recover defender in the nation. Sanchez reads the passer's eyes, and keys off of what he sees. He has very good feet, moves like a soccer player, and is always in balance. Physically strong, he comes from out of nowhere to make a steal, strip or knock-away. He gambles but recovers quickly, and forces the opponent to rush whatever move they may be trying to execute. Once a defensive liability, Mark Karcher has improved now that he's in better shape, and Kevin Lyde and Lamont Barnes are both very good shot-blockers. In short, it's difficult to score against Temple's matchup unless you knock down shots from intermediate range or deep, or if you can score off of your defense, which can be tough against a Temple team that averages less than 10 turnovers per game. Cincinnati may beat Temple, but it may have more to do with Temple's inability to score points rather than the Bearcats' ability to score against Temple.		PTS ALLOWED: 61.3 | DEF. FG %: 37.2 By Andy Katz ESPN.com Temple's zone is feared because it's hard to simulate in practice, but playing against the matchup is not as intimidating as facing Cincinnati's defense. Trying to go inside against Cincinnati's Kenyon Martin or shake the Bearcats' Pete Mickeal is a scary thought for any team entering the NCAA Tournament. Martin has established himself as the premier shot blocker in the nation. But he doesn't only block your shots, he sends it to the second row and gives you a little growl for an added insult. Having Martin in the back line is the foundation of Cincinnati's defense. Mickeal can lock up any player in the nation. He took apart DePaul's Quentin Richardson. What's more intimidating, having a shot blocked or not being able to shake your defender? They're both scary. Temple's matchup zone is deceptive. Players have said they think they're going to get good shots but then don't. But they don't have a player in their face or see their shot get sent into the stands when they play Temple. Cincy's Bob Huggins prides himself on coaching defense. He won't tolerate defensive errors. He doesn't have to with Martin and Mickeal in the back line. The only question could be at the top of the perimeter where Kenny Satterfield and Steve Logan apply ball pressure. But it's not as intense as the defense inside. Satterfield and Logan haven't been beaten off the dribble and won't physically pest opposing point guards or bump them to send a message. But, somehow, they're still keeping players in front of them. The safety net comes when the ball gets past them and a player has to try to take it inside. DerMarr Johnson could use some help on the wing, but even he can be intimidating with his 6-9 frame, blocking a smaller wing's shot. The Bearcats are the most intense team in the country. They play harder than any other squad, when they want to turn it on. Cincinnati gets juiced by its defense. When they're blocking shots, shutting a top scorer down, teams are fearful about going into the lane or attempting another shot. Playing Temple is more of a mind game. Going against Cincinnati is more like a fight. Teams will come out bruised, battered and shaking their heads about why they couldn't score.