Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Penn
Men's Basketball Opens the 2013-14 Season at Philadelphia Big 5 Rival Penn
11.6.13 | Men's Basketball
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PHILADELPHIA - The 2013-14 season begins close to home for Temple men's basketball, as the Owls travel across town to face Philadelphia Big 5 rival Penn on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5:00 p.m. Not only does a new season begin for Temple at The Palestra, but a new era, as the Owls are in their first season competing in the American Athletic Conference.
Temple is 92-25 all-time in season openers, and has won five straight. The Owls have won four road openers in a row, including a 73-67 overtime win at Penn on Nov. 14, 2011. Eighth-year head coach Fran Dunphy is going up against the team he coached for 17 years (1989-2006). Dunphy is 6-1 against his former squad with the only loss coming in 2007.
The Owls will have a quick turnaround before their second game of the season, which is Temple's home opener on Monday, Nov. 11 against Kent State at 7:00 p.m.
Headlines
• One of only eight teams to compete in the last six NCAA?Tournaments, the Owls will need to replace 73 percent of the team's offensive output, including honorable mention All-American Khalif Wyatt, to keep the streak intact.
• Juniors Anthony Lee and Will Cummings are the Owls' returning starters. Lee was third on the squad in scoring (9.8 ppg.) while leading the Cherry and White in rebounding (6.8 rpg.) and field goal percentage (.537). Cummings averaged 5.8 points while dishing 66 assists and making 47 steals (3rd on team).
• The Owls have won the last six meetings vs. Penn and are 29-16 all-time in games against the Quakers at the Palestra.
• Penn is under the direction of fourth-year head coach Jerome Allen, who has a record of 48-65 . The Quakers went 9-22 last season. On Jan. 17, 2013, Penn joined Temple as one of 11 programs to reach 1,700 all-time wins.
• The Owls were co-champions of the Philadelphia Big 5 last season, going 3-1 along with La Salle. Penn finished 0-4 in last year's Big 5 standings.
• Temple icon Bill Cosby will perform on The Palestra floor following the conclusion of the game.
Season Openers
• Temple is 92-25 all-time in season openers and has won its last five.
• The Owls are 19-6 dating back to the 1926-27 season when opening a season on an opponent's floor.
• Temple won its last four road season openers, including a 73-67 overtime win at Penn on Nov. 14, 2011.
• This is the fifth time the Owls have opened with the Quakers. Temple won the last three (1989, 1991, 2011)?with the one loss being a 24-19 decision to open the 1920-21 campaign.
• Temple's three wins in season openers against Penn have come by a combined 11 points.
• This is the earliest season opener since the Owls lost 80-63 at #7 Tennessee on Nov. 9, 2007.
• The Owls have only opened the season once prior to Nov. 9, that being a 72-64 loss to Florida on Nov. 8, 2001 at Madison Square Garden as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.
Owls vs. Quakers
• This is the 68th meeting between the teams, with the Owls holding a 45-22 advantage in the series.
• Temple has won the last six meetings, including last season's 73-69 win at the Liacouras Center.
• Penn's last win in the series came back in 2007 (Jan. 24) when it edged the Owls, 76-74, at the Palestra.
• The Owls are 29-16 against the Quakers all-time at The Palestra.
• Temple head coach Fran Dunphy served as the head coach of the Quakers for 17 seasons (1989-2006), leading Penn to 10 Ivy League Championships, nine NCAA Tournaments and a 310-163 record over that span.
