Temple University Athletics
Temple To Honor 1987-88 Men's Basketball Team Sunday
2.1.08 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 1, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Temple will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the 1987-88 men's basketball team that finished the season ranked #1 in the final Associated Press national poll on Sunday, February 3 at halftime of Owls' game against George Washington. The Cherry and White posted a 32-2 overall mark and a perfect Atlantic 10 season (18-0) under Hall of Fame head coach John Chaney.
"The 1987-88 team is one of the best in Temple, Atlantic 10 and Philadelphia Big 5 history," Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw said. "It is truly a testament to what this team accomplished that 11 players will be in attendance on Sunday."
Led by Tim Perry, Howard Evans, Mike Vreeswyk and All-American Mark Macon, the `87-88 team became the first--and only--Temple team to be ranked #1 nationally, holding the top spot for six weeks, including the final AP poll. The Owls season came to an end in the NCAA Elite Eight. TU is also the only team in A-10 history to finish the league slate undefeated and capture the conference championship.
Temple opened the season with 14 straight wins before falling at #8 UNLV, 59-58, on January 24. The Cherry and White rebounded with 18 consecutive victories, including wins over #10 Villanova and at #5 North Carolina, before losing to Duke 63-53, in the East Regional final at the Meadowlands.
Chaney was named the National Coach of the Year for the second straight year, while Perry (14.5 ppg., 8.0 rpg., 3.6 bpg.) was named the A-10 Player of the Year. Macon was a consensus All-American after averaging 20.6 ppg. in his rookie campaign.
Confirmed attendees include Chaney, Perry, Evans, Vreeswyk, Macon, Derrick Brantley, Darrin Pearsall, Tom Katsikis, Ernest Pollard, Shoun Randolph, Jerome Dowdell and assistant coach Jay Norman.
