Ayrton Oneill
The Temple Owls are the basketball team representing Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The men's basketball team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as a member of the American Athletic Conference (The American). The Owls play their home games in the Liacouras Center on the university's main campus and are currently led by head coach Adam Fisher. The team has a rich history, with notable achievements such as winning the inaugural National Invitation Tournament in 1938 and producing 33 NBA or ABA players, including Eddie Jones and Aaron McKie. The women's basketball team has also found success, with coach Dawn Staley leading the team to multiple conference championships and postseason bids.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Temple Owls |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Division | I |
| University | Temple University |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Home Games | Liacouras Center |
| Mascot | Stella, a great horned owl |
| Rivalries | Villanova, Penn, Saint Joseph's, La Salle, UMass, UConn, Cincinnati, and Rutgers |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances | 33 |
| Number of NIT Appearances | 19 |
| Number of NIT Wins | 2 |
| Number of NBA Players | 33 |
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What You'll Learn
The Temple Owls compete in the NCAA Division I
The Temple Owls basketball team's home games are played at the Liacouras Center on the university's main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team's colours are cherry and white, and their mascot is an owl, symbolising strength, resilience, and optimism. The Owls have had several notable players who have gone on to play in the NBA, such as Mark Macon, Juan Ignacio Sanchez, Eddie Jones, and Lavoy Allen.
The Owls are members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), previously known as the Big East Conference. They have had rivalries with other teams in the conference, such as UConn and Cincinnati, who have since departed. The Owls also compete in the Philadelphia Big Five, an informal association that includes rivals such as Villanova, Penn, Saint Joseph's, and La Salle.
The Temple Owls men's basketball team has had successful seasons under various coaches throughout its history. During the 1950s, head coach Harry Litwack led the team to two NCAA Final Four appearances and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Another notable coach is John Chaney, also a Hall of Famer, who took the Owls to the NCAA tournament 17 times during his 24-season career with the team.
The Temple Owls women's basketball team has also achieved success, with coach Dawn Staley leading them to multiple conference championships and postseason bids. The women's team has represented Temple athletics proudly, with appearances in the NCAA and Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
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They are part of the American Athletic Conference
The Temple Owls men's basketball team represents Temple University in basketball. The Owls compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as a member of the American Athletic Conference (The American). They are part of the American Athletic Conference, one of the nation's elite athletic conferences.
Temple University's basketball team has a long history of success in NCAA competition, with a high level of integrity and sportsmanship displayed by its student-athletes. The Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament 33 times, with a combined record of 33-33. They were also the first-ever National Invitation Tournament (NIT) champions in 1938, which was recognised as a national championship-caliber tournament. The Owls have appeared in the NIT 19 times, with a combined record of 23-17.
The Temple Owls became a full member of the American Athletic Conference in July 2013, after being a full member (non-football) of the A-10 since the early 2000s. The conference was renamed from the Big East Conference, which the Owls had rejoined for all sports in 2013 after 31 years in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Owls football team's membership in the Big East began in the 2012 season.
The American Athletic Conference is an elite athletic conference that includes some of the most successful college basketball programmes in the country. Temple has struggled since joining the conference in 2013, only making the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and 2019. As of the 2024-25 season, the Owls are ranked 10th in the AAC.
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The Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament 33 times
The Temple Owls basketball team has a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball. Representing Temple University, the Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament an impressive 33 times, showcasing their skill and determination on the national stage.
The Owls' success in the NCAA is built upon a strong foundation of basketball excellence. The team has a long-standing tradition of competitiveness, with a combined record of 33-33 in their 33 NCAA tournament appearances. This consistent performance has solidified their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
One of the key contributors to the Owls' success has been their renowned coaching staff. Hall of Fame coaches Harry Litwack and John Chaney have played pivotal roles in shaping the team's performance. Under their guidance, the Owls reached new heights, including two NCAA Final Four appearances in the 1950s under Litwack and 17 NCAA tournament appearances in 24 seasons under Chaney. Their strategic expertise and leadership have left an indelible mark on the program.
The Owls' dominance extends beyond their NCAA tournament appearances. They have also excelled in other prestigious competitions. The team won the inaugural National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1938, a year before the inception of the NCAA Tournament. This victory was recognized as a national championship-caliber achievement. Additionally, the Owls have had a strong presence in the NIT, appearing 19 times with a combined record of 23-17.
The Temple Owls men's basketball team continues to be a powerhouse in college basketball. Their success in the NCAA tournament, combined with their triumphs in other tournaments, solidifies their place as one of the most accomplished programs in the nation. With a winning tradition and a history of outstanding coaching, the Owls have earned their reputation as a formidable force in Division I basketball.
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The team has a long history of success in NCAA competition
The Temple Owls men's basketball team has a rich history of success in NCAA competition. Representing Temple University, the Owls compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the American Athletic Conference (The American). With over 2,000 wins, they are the sixth most successful NCAA Division I men's college basketball program of all time.
The Owls have a long tradition of excellence in NCAA tournaments, having participated over thirty times. Although they have yet to win the NCAA tournament, their history includes notable achievements and memorable victories. One of their earliest triumphs was in 1938, when they claimed the inaugural National Invitation Tournament (NIT) title, which was considered the national championship before the NCAA Tournament's inception the following year. The Owls showcased their prowess once again in 1969, lifting the NIT trophy for the second time.
During the 1950s, the Temple basketball team rose to prominence, making two NCAA Final Four appearances in 1956 and 1958 under the guidance of legendary head coach Harry Litwack, who was later inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Litwack's successor, John Chaney, continued the winning legacy, leading the Owls to the NCAA tournament an impressive 17 times during his 24-year tenure. Chaney's teams dominated the Atlantic 10, winning the regular-season championship eight times and the A-10 Tournament six times. In 1988, Chaney's Owls entered the NCAA tournament as the number one ranked team in the country but were defeated by Duke in the Elite Eight.
In recent years, the Owls have continued to make their mark in NCAA competition. They joined the Big East Conference for all sports in 2013, strengthening their reputation as a formidable opponent. The Owls have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 33 times, holding a record of 33-33. They have also participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 19 times, with a record of 23-17.
Temple's success in NCAA competition extends beyond just wins and losses. The university's athletic program is renowned for producing talented players who have gone on to play in the NBA, including Mark Macon, Juan Ignacio Sanchez, Eddie Jones, Lavoy Allen, Aaron McKie, Tim Perry, and Mardy Collins. Temple's rich history of success in NCAA competition is a source of pride for the university and its dedicated fanbase.
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The Owls play their home games in the Liacouras Center
The Temple Owls men's basketball team represents Temple University in the sport of basketball. The Owls compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the American Athletic Conference. They play their home games in the Liacouras Center, an impressive 10,206-seat multi-purpose venue on the university's main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Liacouras Center is Philadelphia's largest indoor venue north of City Hall and is part of a $107 million, four-building complex. The complex includes the Esther Boyer Theater, which can be configured with 1,000 to 5,000 seats for smaller events, the Independence Blue Cross Recreation Center (IBC), which offers a gym, basketball court, racquetball courts, and more, and a 1,200-space parking garage.
The Liacouras Center was originally named "The Apollo of Temple" when it opened in 1997 but was renamed in 2000 to honour former Temple University President Peter J. Liacouras. The construction of the Liacouras Center was made possible by a partnership between Temple University and the Pennsylvania state legislature, which provided $31.1 million in capital funds, with the University raising the remaining $28.7 million from private sources. The venue has hosted a variety of events, including sold-out concerts by artists such as Bob Dylan and the NBA Players Party prior to the 2002 NBA All-Star Game.
The Temple Owls have a rich history in basketball, with a total of 2,000 wins, making them the sixth most successful NCAA Division I men's college basketball program of all time. They were the first-ever National Invitation Tournament (NIT) champions in 1938 and have won the NIT championship twice more since then, in 1969 and another time prior to the inception of the NCAA Tournament in 1939. The Owls have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 33 times, with a combined record of 33-33, and have several notable alumni who have gone on to play in the NBA, such as Mark Macon, Juan Ignacio Sanchez, Eddie Jones, and Lavoy Allen.
The Owls' home games are a well-supported affair, with Temple students able to receive one free ticket to all home men's and women's basketball games based on availability. The team's mascot, Stella, a 2-foot tall, 3-pound great horned owl with a 60-inch wingspan, can be found on the sidelines of Lincoln Financial Field, cheering on the Owls alongside Temple's official mascot, Hooter.
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Frequently asked questions
Temple University's basketball team, the Temple Owls, compete in the NCAA Division I.
The Temple Owls are members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). They were previously in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The Temple Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament 33 times, with a record of 33-33. They have never won the tournament.
The Temple Owls have rivalries with Villanova, Penn, Saint Joseph's, and La Salle, collectively known as the Philadelphia Big Five.
33 Owls have gone on to play in the NBA, including Mark Macon, Juan Ignacio Sanchez, Eddie Jones, and Lavoy Allen.
