Temple University Athletics
Temple to Honor 50th Anniversary of NIT Championship at Penn Game on Jan. 19
12.21.18 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - Fifty years ago the Temple Owls cut down the nets at Madison Square Garden, defeating the Boston College Eagles, 89-76, to win the 1969 NIT. On Saturday, January 19. Temple Basketball will celebrate the Golden Anniversary of that Championship Season with members of the historic Owl team being honored at halftime of the team's game against Penn (5 pm.). A private dinner will also be hosted for the team on January 18.
Temple men's basketball radio color analyst and captain of the 1968-69 Owls John Baum led the team with 19.3 scoring and 13.3 rebound averages. A Temple and Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Famer, Baum scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the title game, but the MVP honors were awarded to BC's Terry Driscoll after the game to a chorus of boos at the Garden.
Baum, who went on to a professional career in the NBA and ABA, was joined in Naismith Hall of Fame coach Harry Litwack's starting five for most of the season by Temple Hall of Famer Joe Cromer (15.7 ppg.), Ed Mast (10.1 ppg.), Bill Strunk (7.2 ppg.) and Tony Brocchi (6.9 ppg.). Jim Snook (3.9 ppg.) and Tom Wieczerak (4.7 ppg.), who came off the bench to spark a 25-9 late rally to lift the Owls to the win over nationally-ranked Boston College, were the team's top reserves.  The Owls also snapped the Eagles' 19-game win streak and spoiled the coaching finale for their legendary coach Bob Cousey.
Litwack, who said afterwards that the win over BC was "the happiest day of my coaching career", was served well by his assistant coaches Temple Hall of Famers, Don Casey, Jay Norman and Skip Wilson.
The Owls, which lost 68-67 in overtime of the East Coast Conference title game to Saint Joseph's, defeated Florida (82-66), Saint Peter's (94-78) and Tennessee (63-58) to reach the NIT championship game against Boston College. Temple finished the season winning 11 of its final 13 games for a 22-8 record.  It was the most third most wins by an Owl team at the time, topped only by the program's two NCAA Final Four teams.
Â
Temple men's basketball radio color analyst and captain of the 1968-69 Owls John Baum led the team with 19.3 scoring and 13.3 rebound averages. A Temple and Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Famer, Baum scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the title game, but the MVP honors were awarded to BC's Terry Driscoll after the game to a chorus of boos at the Garden.
Baum, who went on to a professional career in the NBA and ABA, was joined in Naismith Hall of Fame coach Harry Litwack's starting five for most of the season by Temple Hall of Famer Joe Cromer (15.7 ppg.), Ed Mast (10.1 ppg.), Bill Strunk (7.2 ppg.) and Tony Brocchi (6.9 ppg.). Jim Snook (3.9 ppg.) and Tom Wieczerak (4.7 ppg.), who came off the bench to spark a 25-9 late rally to lift the Owls to the win over nationally-ranked Boston College, were the team's top reserves.  The Owls also snapped the Eagles' 19-game win streak and spoiled the coaching finale for their legendary coach Bob Cousey.
Litwack, who said afterwards that the win over BC was "the happiest day of my coaching career", was served well by his assistant coaches Temple Hall of Famers, Don Casey, Jay Norman and Skip Wilson.
The Owls, which lost 68-67 in overtime of the East Coast Conference title game to Saint Joseph's, defeated Florida (82-66), Saint Peter's (94-78) and Tennessee (63-58) to reach the NIT championship game against Boston College. Temple finished the season winning 11 of its final 13 games for a 22-8 record.  It was the most third most wins by an Owl team at the time, topped only by the program's two NCAA Final Four teams.
Ep. 28: Vice President/Debbie & Stanley Lefkowitz '65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson
Friday, December 12
Ep. 27: Men's Crew Student-Athlete Adam Curran
Thursday, December 11
MBB Press Conference vs. Georgian Court (Adam Fisher)
Tuesday, December 09
MBB Press Conference vs. Georgian Court (Connor Gal & Jordan Mason)
Tuesday, December 09
