TEMPLE TO HOST #12 ILLINOIS AT THE PALESTRA ON SATURDAY

PHILADEPHIA - Temple will be looking to rebound from a 73-48 season-opening loss to Philadelphia Big Five-rival Villanova last Friday morning (Nov. 21) at the Liacouras Center when it takes on #12 Illinois at The Palestra this Saturday afternoon (Nov. 29)at 4:00 p.m. The Owls shot an abysmal 19-of-70 from the field (27.1%) and appeared to be sleep-walking through the contest which tipped off at the one minute past midnight to accommodate a scheduling conflict between the two schools.

The Owls were without the services of starting center Keith Butler in the 'Nova loss. The 7-1 sophomore turned his ankle in the team's final exhibition game on November 14, a 90-75 win over EA Sports. Butler is questionable for the Owls' nationally-televised (ESPN2) contest with the Illini.

Illinois (2-0), won last year's meeting, 70-54, at the United Center on December 14. The Owls, playing without the services of head coach John Chaney (mild case of pneumonia), trailed by just seven, 50-43, with 5:54 to play before the Illini pulled away on a late run. Brian Cook led all scorers with 25 points for Illinois while David Hawkins paced Temple with 22. Temple connected on just 17-of-59 from the field for 28.8 percent.

Saturday's game is scheduled for The Palestra as the two schools agreed upon off-campus venues for the home-and-home series. It marks the Owls' first regular season home game in the historic arena since the 1985-86 season. Temple did host Boston College last year in a NIT game, a 75-62 Owl win on March 21.

Temple University Athletics

TEMPLE TO HOST #12 ILLINOIS AT THE PALESTRA ON SATURDAY

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