Temple to Host UTSA in Home Conference Opener on ESPNU

Saturday, January 3

Philadelphia, Pa.

Noon

Temple University

UTSA

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Temple to Host UTSA in Home Conference Opener on ESPNU

1.2.26 | Men's Basketball

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Game Info
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Noon
Location: The Liacouras Center – Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: ESPNU | Listen: OwlSports.com/listen | Live Stats | Tickets | Temple Game Notes

Opening Tip

Riding a five-game winning streak, the Temple University men's basketball team returns to the Liacouras Center for the first time in 2026 on Saturday, facing UTSA in a nationally televised contest on ESPNU with a noon tip.
In its latest contest, Temple escaped Charlotte with a 76-73 victory in its American Conference opener on Tuesday at Halton Arena.
The 49ers pulled within two on a pair of late 3-pointers in the final minute, cutting the score to 75-73 with 16 seconds left. Mason went 1-for-2 at the foul line, and Charlotte's half-court heave at the buzzer missed, allowing Temple to escape the Queen City with a 76-73 win.
Four Owls reached double figures in scoring, with Jordan Mason (18), Derrian Ford (17), Aiden Tobiason (15) and Gavin Griffiths (13) pacing the offense. Mason set season highs in points in back-to-back games, while Tobiason added five assists. Griffiths filled the stat sheet with two assists, two blocks and two steals.
Temple has matched its longest winning streak under head coach Adam Fisher, since 2023-24. The Owls previously posted five consecutive wins in the 2023-24 season, starting with the regular-season finale and continuing with four straight victories in the American Conference Tournament before falling in the title game.
With a win over UTSA, Temple would post its longest winning streak since the Owls won seven consecutive contests during the 2014-15 season.
After going 12-2 as season ago at the Liacouras Center, the Owls have picked up right where they left off, owning a 6-1 record in North Philadelphia entering conference play. Temple has outscored its opposition at home by an average of 17.6 points per game abd are shooting at a .502/.418/.735 clip. Derrian Ford (17.9 ppg) and Aiden Tobiason (17.1 ppg) lead the charge offensively on John Chaney and Harry Litwack Court.

Scouting UTSA

The Roadrunners enter Saturday's matchup with a 4-9 record and have dropped six straight contests, including a 110-70 loss at Florida Atlantic in their league opener. Despite the record, UTSA's strength of schedule leads the conference and ranks 16th nationally, with nonconference games against nationally ranked Alabama and USC.
Jamir Simpson is a player to watch, ranking third in the American in scoring (18.0 ppg) and fourth in both 3-point percentage and 3-pointers per game. The Roadrunners are balanced behind Simpson, with five players averaging between 8.7 and 7.2 points per game. UTSA attempts the third-most 3-pointers in the American and defends the arc well, with opponents shooting 31.7 percent from 3-point range.
Temple owns a 3-1 record all time against the Roadrunners. UTSA earned its lone win in the series last year in an 88-79 victory in San Antonio. UTSA will be making its second trip to North Philadelphia, with Temple earning a tight 83-77 win in the 2023-24 campaign.

Previous meetings