But, boy, these Aztecs can play the game, preferably at a fast pace with lots of jaw-dropping dunks mixed in with defense, rebounding, and some timely 3-point precision.

The meeting between seventh-seeded Temple (26-7) and No. 2 seed San Diego State (33-2) today in Tucson in the third round of the Southeast Regional is a contrast in styles, a kind of matchup the Owls acknowledge they have not experienced.

“I would say they’re unique,’’ Temple guard Ramone Moore said. “I can’t remember any teams that we played, you know, similar to the style of play they like to play.’’

Juan Fernandez, the star of the Owls’ 66-64 second-round thriller over Penn State Thursday, knows patience will be a virtue, to be sure.

“We like to share the ball and try to find the open man, not just play through one guy,’’ he said. “We’re going to try to take what they give us. They’re long and athletic, so we are going to have to pass the ball around a lot.’’

Both teams had reason for sighs of relief. Temple ended the record 11-game NCAA Tournament losing streak of its coach, Fran Dunphy. San Diego State won a tournament game for the first time — period — by beating Northern Colorado, 68-50.

If the Owls hold any advantage against the much bigger, more athletic Aztecs, it is in their backcourt size. Fernandez — whose sidestepping, 18-foot leaner off the wrong foot beat Penn State at the buzzer — stands 6 feet 4 inches. So does Moore.

By contrast, San Diego State’s D.J. Gay is 6 feet and Chase Tapley 6-2.

Fernandez said the Owls talked in practice yesterday about taking advantage of their backcourt size.

“But we also know they’ve got a lot of good help defense because they’re long and athletic,’’ he said. “So it’s not going to be like we’re going to have one-on-one against just him [Gay]. If we get it, we take it. But we’re going to have to be aware of our teammates because they help. We have to find the open man.’’

For all the talk of the athleticism and size of the Aztecs, Dunphy credits their smallest player.

“His assist to turnovers are great,’’ Dunphy said of Gay. “His personal fouls for the year — 29. How can that be for all the minutes he played? But to me what it says is he knows he’s got to play a lot of minutes, he is smarter than most of the guys that play the game, and he understands exactly what his role is.’’

While the Owls have a talented inside player in LaVoy Allen, they have no one to challenge the sheer athleticism of Kawhi Leonard, who San Diego State coach Steve Fisher has called the best offensive rebounder he has ever coached. Adding to the Aztecs’ strength is the recent play of forward Billy White, who has reached double figures in five straight games.