Temple University Athletics
Duke, Tennessee, Florida Highlight Strong Non-Conference Men's Basketball Schedule
8.6.07 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 6, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Second-year Temple University head men's basketball coach Fran Dunphy took a page out of his predecessor's book with the announcement of the 2007-08 men's basketball schedule. Dunphy's second slate as the Owls' coach is John Chaney-esque, as he has his team opening at projected Top 10-ranked Tennessee, traveling to Florida to take on the two-time defending NCAA Champion Gators in the Orange Bowl Classic, and hosting perennial national power Duke at the Wachovia Center.
"This is clearly a challenging schedule, and hopefully our young men will be able to respond to the challenge," Dunphy said.
The Owls open the 2007-08 campaign November 9 at Tennessee. The team then travels to San Juan to take part in the three-game, four-day Inaugural O'Reilly ESPNU Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic (11/15, 16, 18). The eight-team tourney features Arkansas, Charleston, Houston, Miami (Fla), Providence, Virginia Commonwealth and a team to be determined.
Temple then plays three straight games against Mid-American Conference teams, traveling to Bowling Green (11/24) and Akron (11/26), before hosting Ohio University in its home opener (11/29). The Owls stay in the Liacouras Center with games against Towson (12/6) and Philadelphia Big 5 rival Villanova (12/9).
The Owls next battle Drexel at The Palestra (12/15) with a home date against Eastern Michigan on December 22 serving as the Cherry & White's final game before Christmas.
Two-time defending NCAA Champion Florida is the Owls' last game in 2007, a December 29 date at the Orange Bowl Classic.
Duke invades the Wachovia Center on January 9 while Penn completes the non-conference portion of the schedule on January 23 at the Liacouras Center.
The Owls' Atlantic 10 Conference schedule will be announced at a later date. Temple will play Charlotte, Fordham and Saint Joseph's home and away this season, a change from the previous two seasons.
