- Karson Templin's performance is peaking at a crucial time for Utah State.
- Coach Calhoun praises Templin's growth and strategic role off the bench.
- Templin's confidence and three-point shooting are pivotal for postseason hopes.
LOGAN — As one of five returners from an NCAA Tournament team a season ago, Karson Templin was always expected to play a big role in Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun's second season in Logan.
Templin's career-high 20-point performance in a 99-75 Valentine's Day victory over Memphis only further solidified his importance to the Aggies' success and postseason hopes.
"I thought Templin played his best game of his career here," Calhoun said. "He fits our system really well. I think he's really bought into how we play. I think he's comfortable."
The comfort and confidence is starting to show through for Templin in Year 2 with Calhoun and Year 3 in the program. As the dog days of conference play have arrived, the 6-foot-8 forward has only elevated his game as the importance of those games has gone up.
Templin, after starting the first eight games of the season, was taken out of the starting lineup in favor of Adlan Elamin. It was not due to poor play, but merely a strategic decision from Calhoun, one that turned Elamin into one of the best freshmen in the conference and an important piece of the Utah State puzzle.
Templin's current role, though now off the bench, has continued to be leaned on, especially as of late.
In his last nine games, Templin is averaging over 11 points per game in 21 or more minutes, a jump from just under 8 points and 17 minutes per game over the Aggies' first 16 contests. His increased production has come in especially critical recent wins over San Diego State and New Mexico, the other two top teams in the Mountain West, along with Utah State at the top.
"The trust that we have for him, he has for us — the comfortability, understanding the concepts, understanding the system. … We've asked a lot of him," Calhoun said. "He does a great job of watching the game and then coming into the game and impacting it. I think he does that as good as anybody in the league."
While Templin is considered undersized for his position, frequently measuring three to four inches smaller than some of the typical forwards and centers in the league, opposing size hasn't been something that deters him from battling in the paint.
"It's great to play those teams and have those experiences. You learn a lot in losses and wins, but especially in losses," Templin said. "When you beat a team like Memphis, they have a lot of talent. It gives you some confidence. … It's good for us to play against bigger athletic teams, because that's what we're going to see in the NCAA Tournament."
Templin has not suffered from a lack of confidence in recent weeks, which likely has helped contribute to his late-season burst. That surge in confidence has pushed him outside the 3-point line, particularly during his recent hot stretch.
Templin is shooting 33% from beyond the arc on the year but is taking them at a higher clip over the last 10 games, frequently coming at needed moments for Utah State.
"My shot feels good, so I'm shooting it," Templin said.
The increase in deep balls has come partially at the influence of his coach, who wants his guys to play freely and with that confidence.
"You've got to play green. We talk about playing green, like a stop sign. Don't stop," Calhoun said. "Confidence is a scary thing. When you get confidence, you've got to have it from your teammates, but the players have got to see it from the coach. So, (Templin) knows now, if he's open, shoot it."
While Templin and the rest of the Aggie forwards typically fight a size battle, a consistent three would help even the fight. The development of Templin's three-point shot and continued importance may have caught some off guard.
For Calhoun, though, Templin's growth late in the season hasn't come as a surprise.
"He and I had a very difficult discussion, probably a month and a half ago, and I think it changed his season. I was very direct in kind of what this team needed and what he could provide, and he's been on a tear ever since," Calhoun said. "I think the sky's the limit for the kid. I think he's a really, really hard worker, and he's improving at a vast, vast rate right now."
While the Aggies look forward to their final stretch of games, a conference tournament run and potentially another NCAA Tournament berth, Templin's continued growth and increased contribution could prove vital in the final push.
