Andrew Pace
The Temple Owls men's basketball team has a rich history, with over 2000 wins, six NCAA Final Four appearances, and a host of Hall of Fame players and coaches. The team has had many notable wins, including a victory over Tulsa and a 2000th win against Davidson. The Owls have a long-standing rivalry with Villanova, with the two teams tied for the most Big 5 titles. The Owls have also faced off against other top schools like North Carolina, UCLA, and Georgetown. With a strong record and a talented roster, the Temple Owls have consistently proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wins | 2,000 |
| Date of 2,000th win | 18 December 2024 |
| Opponent in 2,000th win | Davidson |
| Final score of 2,000th win | 62-61 |
| Venue of 2,000th win | Liacouras Center |
| Number of NCAA Tournament appearances | 33 |
| Number of NIT Appearances | 19 |
| Number of Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championships | 10 |
| Number of East Coast Regular Season Championships | 3 |
| Number of Middle Atlantic Regular Season Championships | 4 |
| Number of Big 5 titles | 27 |
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What You'll Learn
Temple Owls men's basketball team history
The Temple Owls men's basketball team has a rich history, with over 2,000 wins and a long list of notable achievements. The team represents Temple University and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the American Athletic Conference. They play their home games at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and are currently led by head coach Adam Fisher.
The Owls have had a successful basketball program for many years, dating back to the 1937-38 season when they were recognised as the national champions. They continued their success in the 1950s, making two NCAA Final Four appearances (1956, 1958) under head coach Harry Litwack, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Another notable coach in the team's history is John Chaney, also a Hall of Famer. Chaney led the Owls to 17 NCAA Tournament appearances in his 24 seasons with the team, winning the Atlantic 10 regular-season championship eight times and the A-10 Tournament six times. His 1987-88 team entered the NCAA tournament ranked No. 1 but lost to Duke in the Elite Eight.
More recently, the 2010-11 Temple Owls men's basketball team had a successful season, finishing with a 14-2 conference record and winning their third straight Atlantic 10 tournament title. They earned a spot in the 2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they defeated Penn State in the round of 64.
The Temple Owls have had a long history of success in college basketball, with numerous appearances in the NCAA Tournament and a dedicated fan base. Their 2,000th win in December 2024 against Davidson by a score of 62-61 further cemented their place in the history of the sport.
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Temple's 2000th win
The Temple Owls men's basketball team earned its 2,000th victory on December 18, 2024, defeating Davidson by a score of 62-61 at the Liacouras Center. The Owls became only the sixth school to reach 2,000 wins in the history of NCAA Division I men's college basketball, joining an exclusive club that includes Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, and UCLA.
"2,000 wins, it's incredible," Owls Coach Adam Fisher said following the historic win. "This is a program win. To be the sixth school to ever do it, that's why you want to come to Temple." Fisher also took the time to thank former student-athletes, coaches, and trainers who contributed to the program's success over the years.
The Temple men's basketball program has a long and rich history, dating back to its first season in 1894. The Owls have built a reputation as one of the top schools in men's college basketball, with notable coaches and players throughout their history. Temple won the first-ever national championship in the sport in 1938, defeating Colorado 60-36 in the NIT, which was the forerunner of the NCAA tournament.
The Owls have had several notable coaches, including Harry Litwack, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame after a 21-year coaching career that included 373 wins. Head Coach John Chaney, also a Hall of Famer, led Temple to the NCAA tournament 17 times in 24 seasons, winning the Atlantic 10 regular season championship eight times and the A-10 Tournament six times. Other notable coaches include James Usilton, Josh Cody, and Fran Dunphy, who have all contributed to the program's success and rich history.
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Temple's NCAA Tournament appearances
The Temple Owls men's basketball team has a rich history, with over 2,000 wins and more than thirty appearances in the NCAA Tournament. They represent Temple University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and are currently led by head coach Adam Fisher.
The Owls play their home games at the Liacouras Center on the university's main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and are members of the American Athletic Conference. They have long-standing rivalries with Villanova, Penn, Saint Joseph's, and La Salle, as well as UMass, UConn, and Cincinnati.
The Owls have made it to the NCAA Final Four twice in the 1950s (1956 and 1958) under head coach Harry Litwack, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. They have reached the NCAA Tournament over thirty times, with seventeen of those appearances occurring during Hall of Famer John Chaney's 24-year tenure as head coach. Despite their many appearances, they have never won the Tournament or reached the National Championship Game.
More recently, the Owls received bids to the NCAA Tournament for six consecutive years under coach Fran Dunphy (2008-2013), winning only two games during that time. Since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2013, they have made the Tournament in 2016 and 2019.
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Temple's NIT Championships
The Temple Owls men's basketball team has a rich history, with over 2,000 wins, making them one of the most successful NCAA Division I men's college basketball programs of all time. The Owls have reached the NCAA Tournament over thirty times, but are yet to win it. However, they have had success in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), becoming the first NIT champions in 1938, before the NCAA Tournament began.
The NIT was considered a prestigious championship tournament, and the Owls' 1938 victory was recognised as a National Championship. The Premo-Porretta Power Poll and the Helms Athletic Foundation also retroactively recognised the Owls as the national champion for the 1937-38 season. This was a significant achievement, as it demonstrated the team's dominance over the season, not just in a single tournament.
The Temple Owls added another NIT championship to their name in 1969. During the 1950s, the team also made two NCAA Final Four appearances (1956 and 1958) under head coach Harry Litwack, who was later inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Litwack's successful coaching career included 373 wins, and he helped establish the Owls as a force in college basketball.
The Owls have continued to be a competitive force in recent years, with appearances in the NCAA Tournament and NIT, as well as success in conference play and other tournaments. In 2024, the Owls achieved their 2,000th win, joining an exclusive club of only six programs to reach this milestone. This win demonstrated the team's consistent success over many years and solidified their place in college basketball history.
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Temple's most valuable players
Temple University's basketball team, the Temple Owls, has seen many talented players over the years. Here is a list of some of Temple's most valuable players:
Lynn Greer
Greer is a dynamic guard who arrived at Temple in 1997 and immediately made an impact with his impressive scoring ability and tenacious defence. He was adept at creating his own shots and finding open teammates, becoming a vital part of the Temple Owls' offensive strategy. Greer set scoring records at Temple and brought the school to a Public League championship. He earned Atlantic 10 First Team honours in 2000 and 2002 and was named the Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP in 2001. His unrelenting drive and passion for the game have earned him a spot among Temple's all-time greats.
Hal Lear
A legendary point guard who joined the Temple Owls in the early 1950s, Lear is remembered for his remarkable dribbling skills, exceptional passing, and scoring. He led the team to several NCAA Tournament appearances and was named a Consensus First Team All-American in 1956. Lear is a two-time winner of the prestigious Robert V. Geasey Trophy (1955 and 1956), solidifying his place as one of the most revered players in Temple basketball history.
Guy Rodgers
Rodgers, who joined the Temple Owls in 1956, is considered one of the most iconic and dominant point guards in the program's history. Known for his incredible court vision, flashy ball-handling, and quickness, he led the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Rodgers was named First Team All-American in 1958 and was a two-time winner of the Robert V. Geasey Trophy (1957 and 1958), awarded to the top collegiate player in the Philadelphia Big 5.
Eddie Jones
Known for his dynamic and fluid style of play, Jones is recognised as one of Temple's all-time greats. His athleticism and scoring prowess earned him the recognition of Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. Jones' highlight-reel plays and impact on the team, despite not playing regularly for two total seasons, make him a fan favourite among Temple basketball alumni and fans.
Marc Jackson
Despite the fanfare surrounding other Temple players, Jackson is the player many fans would want to have the ball when needing a basket to win. He is described as a fierce competitor who left a lasting impact on the Temple Owls basketball programme.
Other notable mentions include Lamont Barnes, Ollie Johnson, Mark Macon, Aaron McKie, and Phillip PJ Walker, who have all contributed significantly to the success and legacy of Temple University's basketball team.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Temple University's basketball team has reached the NCAA Tournament over thirty times but has never won it.
As of 2025, Temple University's basketball team has had 2,000 wins.
Temple University's basketball team has had several notable wins, including:
- A victory against rival La Salle in the 1940s, leading to their 500th win.
- Two NCAA Final Four appearances in 1956 and 1958.
- An 81-77 victory against Tulsa.
- A 73-71 victory against South Florida.
- A 98-86 victory against Villanova in 1988.
