2008–09 Temple Owls men's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 2008–09 Temple Owls men's basketball team represented Temple University
in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
. They were led by head coach Fran Dunphy
and played their home games at the Liacouras Center
. The Owls are members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 22–12 and 11–5 in A-10 play. They won the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament
for the second consecutive year to receive the conference's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
.
Dionte Christmas
led Temple in three statistics: points per game (19.5), three-pointers completed (107), and total steals (51); he finished second in two more: rebounds per game (5.5) and assists (28). In addition, he was an honorable mention All-American and scored 2,000 points over his college basketball career. Also graduating were two other starters: 7–0 center Sergio Olmos, who was selected as an All-A10 Tournament player, and point guard Semaj Inge.
, and received 12 first place votes. Dionte Christmas
was chosen to the Preseason First Team after leading the league in scoring the past two seasons. Lavoy Allen
was named to the Preseason Defensive Team.
| 1
| November 14
| East Tennessee State
| W 79–65
| Dionte Christmas – 26
| Lavoy Allen – 15
| Christmas/Semaj Inge – 6
| Carolina First Arena
, Charleston, SC (527)
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 2
| November 15
| College of Charleston
| W 70–65
| Christmas – 26
| Allen – 12
| Luis Guzman – 5
| Carolina First Arena, Charleston, SC (2,532)
| 2–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 3
| November 16
| Clemson
| L 76–72
| Ryan Brooks – 19
| Guzman – 7
| Guzman – 7
| Carolina First Arena, Charleston, SC (3,026)
| 2–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 4
| November 21
| Lafayette
| W 71–55
| Christmas – 29
| Christmas – 12
| Christmas/Guzman – 3
| Allan P. Kirby Arena, Easton, PA (3,297)
| 3–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 5
| November 29
| Buffalo
| L 83–73
| Christmas – 25
| Christmas – 6
| Guzman – 7
| Alumni Arena, Buffalo, NY (2,035)
| 3–2
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 6
| December 3
| Miami (OH)
| L 68–52
| Sergio Olmos – 12
| Brooks – 6
| Inge – 5
| Liacouras Center
, Philadelphia, PA (5,029)
| 3–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 7
| December 6
| Penn State
| W 65–59
| Inge – 19
| Allen – 10
| Inge – 6
| Bryce Jordan Center
, State College, PA (9,833)
| 4–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 8
| December 13
| #8 Tennessee
| W 88–72
| Christmas – 35
| Brooks – 10
| Inge – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (8,068)
| 5–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 9
| December 20
| Kansas
| L 71–59
| Christmas – 21
| Allen – 7
| Allen – 5
| Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS (16,300)
| 5–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 10
| December 22
| Long Beach State
| L 76–71
| Christmas – 19
| Allen – 11
| Allen – 5
| Walter Pyramid
, Long Beach, CA (2,042)
| 5–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 11
| December 29
| #13 Villanova
| L 62–45
| Christmas – 13
| Christmas/Olmos – 5
| Christmas – 4
| The Pavilion
, Villanova, PA (6,500)
| 5–6
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 12
| January 5
| Kent State
| W 73–58
| Christmas – 26
| Allen – 10
| Brooks/Juan Fernandez – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (3,508)
| 6–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 13
| January 7
| Eastern Michigan
| W 67–45
| Christmas – 17
| Allen – 5
| Allen/Christmas – 3
| Convocation Center
, Ypsilanti, MI (493)
| 7–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 14
| January 11
| La Salle
| W 75–68
| Christmas – 30
| Allen/Inge – 6
| Inge – 6
| Tom Gola Arena
, Philadelphia, PA (3,510)
| 8–6
(1–0)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 15
| January 14
| Pennsylvania
| W 78–53
| Christmas – 25
| Christmas – 9
| Inge/Fernandez – 5
| The Palestra, Philadelphia, PA (4,261)
| 9–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 16
| January 17
| UMass
| L 79–75
| Christmas – 26
| Christmas – 9
| Allen – 5
| William D. Mullins Center, Amherst, MA (7,182)
| 9–7
(1–1)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 17
| January 22
| Saint Louis
| W 65–40
| Allen – 16
| Allen/Christmas – 7
| Christmas – 5
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (4,856)
| 10–7
(2–1)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 18
| January 24
| Charlotte
| W 80–53
| Inge – 19
| Allen – 10
| Fernandez – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (5,747)
| 11–7
(3–1)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 19
| January 28
| Rhode Island
| L 67–59
| Christmas – 27
| Micheal Eric – 7
| Guzman – 3
| Thomas M. Ryan Center, Kingston, RI (5,028)
| 11–8
(3–2)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 20
| January 31
| Richmond
| W 74–65
| Inge – 19
| Christmas – 13
| Christmas – 3
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (6,087)
| 12–8
(4–2)
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 21
| February 5
| #9 Xavier
| L 83–74
| Olmos – 18
| Allen – 14
| Christmas – 8
| Cintas Center
, Cincinnati, OH (10,250)
| 12–9
(4–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 22
| February 8
| Rhode Island
| W 68–62
| Allen – 23
| Allen – 13
| Inge – 7
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (5,654)
| 13–9
(5–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 23
| February 12
| Saint Joseph's
| W 61–59
| Christmas – 19
| Christmas – 11
| Christmas/Inge – 4
| The Palestra, Philadelphia, PA (8,722)
| 14–9
(6–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 24
| February 15
| Duquesne
| W 78–73
| Fernandez – 19
| Craig Williams – 6
| Christmas – 4
| A.J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, PA (4,029)
| 15–9
(7–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 25
| February 18
| Fordham
| W 72–45
| Allen – 19
| Allen – 11
| Fernandez – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (3,837)
| 16–9
(8–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 26
| February 22
| St. Bonaventure
| W 70–56
| Allen – 20
| Allen – 18
| Allen – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (7,092)
| 17–9
(9–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 27
| February 26
| La Salle
| L 70–63
| Christmas – 19
| Allen – 12
| Fernandez – 6
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (6,031)
| 17–10
(9–4)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 28
| February 28
| Dayton
| L 70–65
| Christmas/Brooks – 20
| Allen – 11
| Guzman – 4
| University of Dayton Arena
, Dayton, OH (13,435)
| 17–11
(9–5)
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 29
| March 5
| Saint Joseph's
| W 68–59
| Christmas – 23
| Williams – 9
| Fernandez – 5
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (9,349)
| 18–11
(10–5)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 30
| March 7
| George Washington
| W 63–53
| Allen – 17
| Allen – 16
| Inge – 5
| Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, DC (2,828)
| 19–11
(11–5)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 31
| March 12
| Saint Joseph's
| W 79–65
| Brooks – 19
| Allen – 13
| Inge/Christmas – 4
| Boardwalk Hall
, Atlantic City, NJ (4,837)
| 20–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 32
| March 13
| #19 Xavier
| W 55–53
| Christmas – 20
| Allen – 11
| Christmas – 3
| Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
| 21–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 33
| March 14
| Duquesne
| W 69–64
| Christmas – 29
| Allen – 14
| Inge – 8
| Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ (6,823)
| 22–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 34
| March 20
| Arizona State
| L 66–57
| Christmas – 29
| Allen – 10
| Allen/Inge – 4
| AmericanAirlines Arena
, Miami, FL (10,163)
| 22–12
|-
scored 35 points to lead Temple past #8 Tennessee on December 13 88–72. This was Temple's first win over a top ten team since the 2006 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament
, when the Owls upset #6 George Washington
; John Chaney was coaching Temple at the time. The Owls started the game with a 8–0 lead and never faltered, with Tennessee only tying the score at 15 and never leading. Christmas started the second half with a three-pointer and scored three consecutive threes on a 17–6 run. For the game, he was 7-for-14 from the perimeter and 12-for-22 from the field. Sergio Olmos's 19 points were a career high, and Ryan Brooks registered a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
; they received a bye
and faced Saint Joseph's
in the quarterfinals.
In the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
, Temple was seeded eleventh in the South Regional, where they faced the sixth-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils in the first round. On March 20, 2009, behind a then career-high 22 points by Sun Devil Derek Glasser, Arizona State eliminated Temple 66–57. The Owls never had a lead, but cut the deficit to 52–49, the closest the game ever got. Temple's offense went without a field goal in the final 5:02. However, their defense held Arizona State star James Harden
to nine points, less than half his season average, and 1-of-8 shooting. Dionte Christmas played all 40 minutes, shot 5-for-11 from behind the arc and scored 29 points in his final collegiate game.
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2008 and ended with the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The season saw six different teams achieve the AP #1 ranking during the...
. They were led by head coach Fran Dunphy
Fran Dunphy
Fran Dunphy is an American college basketball coach. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at Temple University. He succeeded John Chaney in 2006.- Coaching career :...
and played their home games at the Liacouras Center
Liacouras Center
The Liacouras Center, a 10,200-seat multi-purpose venue, is located on the Temple University campus along North Broad Street in North Philadelphia. The venue is a full entertainment arena featuring concerts, family shows, Temple Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, Philadelphia KiXX games, and other...
. The Owls are members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They finished the season 22–12 and 11–5 in A-10 play. They won the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament
2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament was played at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey from March 11 through March 14, 2009. The winner of the tournament received an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and was crowned Atlantic 10 Conference...
for the second consecutive year to receive the conference's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
.
Dionte Christmas
Dionte Christmas
Dionte Christmas is an American basketball player. Christmas is listed as 6 ft 5 in and 205 lb .-High school career:...
led Temple in three statistics: points per game (19.5), three-pointers completed (107), and total steals (51); he finished second in two more: rebounds per game (5.5) and assists (28). In addition, he was an honorable mention All-American and scored 2,000 points over his college basketball career. Also graduating were two other starters: 7–0 center Sergio Olmos, who was selected as an All-A10 Tournament player, and point guard Semaj Inge.
Preseason
On October 28, 2008, the Owls were picked by other Atlantic 10 coaches to finish second, behind XavierXavier Musketeers men's basketball
The Xavier Musketeers team is the basketball team that represents Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference...
, and received 12 first place votes. Dionte Christmas
Dionte Christmas
Dionte Christmas is an American basketball player. Christmas is listed as 6 ft 5 in and 205 lb .-High school career:...
was chosen to the Preseason First Team after leading the league in scoring the past two seasons. Lavoy Allen
Lavoy Allen
-Freshman:Coming into his freshman season, Allen was selected to the Preseason All-Atlantic 10 Rookie Team. He was seen as an answer for Temple's rebounding and interior scoring struggles from the previous 12-18 season. In his first college basketball game, Allen scored eight points and grabbed...
was named to the Preseason Defensive Team.
Roster
| # | Name | Height | Weight (lbs.) | Position | Class | Hometown | High School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Ryan Brooks | 200 pounds (90.7 kg) | G | Jr. | Narberth, Pennsylvania Narberth, Pennsylvania Narberth is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,282 at the 2010 census.-History:Narberth is located on a parcel of land originally deeded to Edward Rees , who arrived from Wales in 1682. A portion of this original tract became the farm of Edward R... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Lower Merion HS Lower Merion High School Lower Merion High School, is an American public high school in Ardmore, a community on the Pennsylvania Main Line.It is the larger of the two high schools in Lower Merion School District, which serves both Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth. It was ranked among the top 60 U.S. high... |
|
| 4 | Juan Fernandez Juan Fernández (basketball) Juan Manuel "Lobito" Fernández is an Argentine college basketball player with the Temple Owls men's basketball team who is entering his senior season. His father, Gustavo, was a point guard for a number of professional basketball teams in Argentina... |
180 pounds (81.6 kg) | G | Fr. | Río Tercero, Córdoba Río Tercero, Córdoba Río Tercero is a city located on the Tercero River in the Tercero Arriba Department of Córdoba Province .-Notable residents:*Juan Fernandez, college basketball player with the Temple Owls... |
Argentina Argentina Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires... |
Dr. Alexis Carrel HS | |
| 10 | Luis Guzman | 200 pounds (90.7 kg) | G | Jr. | New York City, New York | U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Paramus Catholic HS Paramus Catholic High School Paramus Catholic High School is a co-educational Roman Catholic high school located in Paramus in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. The school, founded in 1965, is one of several high schools in the Archdiocese of Newark... |
|
| 11 | T.J. DiLeo | 195 pounds (88.5 kg) | G | Fr. | Cinnaminson, New Jersey | U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Cinnaminson HS Cinnaminson High School Cinnaminson High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Cinnaminson Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cinnaminson Township Public Schools. The grounds are approximately , including the land... |
|
| 15 | Semaj Inge | 190 pounds (86.2 kg) | G | Sr. | Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Woodrow Wilson HS Woodrow Wilson High School (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson High School is a four-year public high school in Camden, in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades as part of the Camden City Public Schools.... |
|
| 21 | Rafael DeLeon | 200 pounds (90.7 kg) | F | Jr. | District Heights, Maryland District Heights, Maryland District Heights is an incorporated city in. Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, located near Maryland Route 4. The population was 5,837 at the 2010 census... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Bishop McNamara HS Bishop McNamara High School Bishop McNamara High School, a college preparatory school in the Holy Cross tradition, is in Forestville, Maryland. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.-History:... |
|
| 22 | Dionte Christmas Dionte Christmas Dionte Christmas is an American basketball player. Christmas is listed as 6 ft 5 in and 205 lb .-High school career:... |
205 pounds (93 kg) | G | Sr. | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Lutheran Christian Academy | |
| 23 | Ramone Moore Ramone Moore Ramone Moore, Jr. is an American college basketball player with the Temple Owls men's basketball team who is entering his senior season. He attended South Philadelphia High School, where he was coached by George Anderson. Moore led the Philadelphia Public League in scoring as a senior and earned... |
180 pounds (81.6 kg) | G | Fr. | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
South Philadelphia HS South Philadelphia High School South Philadelphia High School also known as Southern High is a public secondary high school located in the south section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the intersection of Broad Street and Snyder Avenue, just north of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex residential neighborhood, Marconi... |
|
| 24 | Lavoy Allen Lavoy Allen -Freshman:Coming into his freshman season, Allen was selected to the Preseason All-Atlantic 10 Rookie Team. He was seen as an answer for Temple's rebounding and interior scoring struggles from the previous 12-18 season. In his first college basketball game, Allen scored eight points and grabbed... |
225 pounds (102.1 kg) | F | So. | Morrisville, Pennsylvania Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Morrisville is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,728 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Morrisville is located at . It is situated on the Delaware River directly across from Trenton, New Jersey... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Pennsbury HS Pennsbury High School Pennsbury High School is a public high school located in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, in the United States.With 3,591 students enrolled for the 2009-2010 school year, Pennsbury High School is the largest high school in Bucks County, and the teneth largest high school in the state of Pennsylvania... |
|
| 30 | Craig Williams | 240 pounds (108.9 kg) | F | So. | Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands Christiansted is a town on Saint Croix, one of the main islands composing the United States Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is a former capital of the Danish West Indies and home to the Christiansted National Historic Site... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
St. Croix Central HS St. Croix Central High School (Virgin Islands) St. Croix Central High School, commonly referred to as "Central High" or "Central," is the largest public high school located on the island Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. The school is operated by the St. Croix School District.... |
|
| 33 | Scootie Randall | 205 pounds (93 kg) | F | Fr. | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,... |
U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Communications Tech HS | |
| 41 | Sergio Olmos | 220 pounds (99.8 kg) | C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Sr. | Valencia | Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
Vincente Blasco Ibanez HS | |
| 50 | Micheal Eric | 240 pounds (108.9 kg) | F/C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Fr. | Lagos Lagos Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa... |
Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in... |
Church Farm School Church Farm School CFS, The School at Church Farm was founded as the "Church Farm School" in 1918 by the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Shreiner. Shreiner, an Episcopalian priest, established the school in Glen Loch, Pennsylvania, on U.S. Route 30 between Frazer and Exton, as a boarding school for boys from broken homes,... |
Schedule
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"| 1
| November 14
| East Tennessee State
East Tennessee State Buccaneers men's basketball
The East Tennessee State Buccaneers are the basketball team that represents East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. ETSU currently competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2010...
| W 79–65
| Dionte Christmas – 26
| Lavoy Allen – 15
| Christmas/Semaj Inge – 6
| Carolina First Arena
Carolina First Arena
The Toronto Dominion Bank Arena is a 5,100 seat multi-purpose arena in Charleston, South Carolina, USA that opened in 2008 and replaced John Kresse Arena as the home of the College of Charleston Cougars basketball and volleyball teams...
, Charleston, SC (527)
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 2
| November 15
| College of Charleston
College of Charleston Cougars men's basketball
The College of Charleston Cougars men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in the Southern Conference. Home games are played at Carolina First Arena, located on College of Charleston's campus in Charleston, South Carolina, United States.-History:1920-21 was the...
| W 70–65
| Christmas – 26
| Allen – 12
| Luis Guzman – 5
| Carolina First Arena, Charleston, SC (2,532)
| 2–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 3
| November 16
| Clemson
| L 76–72
| Ryan Brooks – 19
| Guzman – 7
| Guzman – 7
| Carolina First Arena, Charleston, SC (3,026)
| 2–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 4
| November 21
| Lafayette
Lafayette Leopards
The Lafayette Leopards represent the 23 Division I varsity athletic teams of Lafayette College and compete in the Patriot League. There are 11 men's teams, 11 women's teams, and one co-ed team. The club teams also compete as the Leopards...
| W 71–55
| Christmas – 29
| Christmas – 12
| Christmas/Guzman – 3
| Allan P. Kirby Arena, Easton, PA (3,297)
| 3–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 5
| November 29
| Buffalo
| L 83–73
| Christmas – 25
| Christmas – 6
| Guzman – 7
| Alumni Arena, Buffalo, NY (2,035)
| 3–2
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 6
| December 3
| Miami (OH)
Miami RedHawks men's basketball
The Miami RedHawks men's basketball team intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Miami University. The school competes in the Mid-American Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The RedHawks play home basketball games at Millett Hall in Oxford,...
| L 68–52
| Sergio Olmos – 12
| Brooks – 6
| Inge – 5
| Liacouras Center
Liacouras Center
The Liacouras Center, a 10,200-seat multi-purpose venue, is located on the Temple University campus along North Broad Street in North Philadelphia. The venue is a full entertainment arena featuring concerts, family shows, Temple Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, Philadelphia KiXX games, and other...
, Philadelphia, PA (5,029)
| 3–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 7
| December 6
| Penn State
2008–09 Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team represented Pennsylvania State University and completed the season by winning the 2009 National Invitation Tournament over the Baylor Bears at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Head Coach, Ed DeChellis, coached his sixth season with the team...
| W 65–59
| Inge – 19
| Allen – 10
| Inge – 6
| Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in 1995 and is the largest such venue between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It replaced Rec Hall as the home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions men's and women's basketball team, the...
, State College, PA (9,833)
| 4–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 8
| December 13
| #8 Tennessee
| W 88–72
| Christmas – 35
| Brooks – 10
| Inge – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (8,068)
| 5–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 9
| December 20
| Kansas
| L 71–59
| Christmas – 21
| Allen – 7
| Allen – 5
| Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS (16,300)
| 5–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 10
| December 22
| Long Beach State
Long Beach State 49ers men's basketball
The Long Beach State 49ers Basketball team represents California State University, Long Beach in Long Beach, California. The school's team currently competes in the Big West Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2007...
| L 76–71
| Christmas – 19
| Allen – 11
| Allen – 5
| Walter Pyramid
Walter Pyramid
Walter Pyramid, formerly known as Long Beach Pyramid, is a 5,000-seat, indoor multi-purpose stadium on the campus of California State University, Long Beach in Long Beach, California.-History:...
, Long Beach, CA (2,042)
| 5–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 11
| December 29
| #13 Villanova
2008–09 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team
The Villanova Wildcats had a 22–13 record in the 2008 season. Their season resulted in a trip to the Final Four, with their last second win over the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Elite 8.For the 2008–09 season, Villanova returned all but one from their entire roster that made it to the Sweet 16 of...
| L 62–45
| Christmas – 13
| Christmas/Olmos – 5
| Christmas – 4
| The Pavilion
The Pavilion
The Pavilion is a 6,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States, about 20 miles outside of Philadelphia. It was built in 1985, and is home to the Villanova University Wildcats basketball teams. It is recognizable from the outside for its hyperbolic paraboloid roofline,...
, Villanova, PA (6,500)
| 5–6
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 12
| January 5
| Kent State
Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball
The Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represents Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The Golden Flashes compete in the Mid-American Conference East Division and last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008...
| W 73–58
| Christmas – 26
| Allen – 10
| Brooks/Juan Fernandez – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (3,508)
| 6–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 13
| January 7
| Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan Eagles men's basketball
The Eastern Michigan Eagles men's basketball team has appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments, and have a 3-4 record, tied for third best among Michigan colleges...
| W 67–45
| Christmas – 17
| Allen – 5
| Allen/Christmas – 3
| Convocation Center
Convocation Center (Eastern Michigan University)
The Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center is a multi-purpose arena, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The facility is owned by Eastern Michigan University. The event has hosted concerts, graduation ceremonies and athletic events...
, Ypsilanti, MI (493)
| 7–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 14
| January 11
| La Salle
La Salle Explorers men's basketball
The La Salle Explorers Men's Basketball Team is the college basketball program representing La Salle University.-History:The program has been rated the 53rd "Greatest College Basketball Program of All-Time" by Street & Smith's magazine and 71st by the ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia.La Salle...
| W 75–68
| Christmas – 30
| Allen/Inge – 6
| Inge – 6
| Tom Gola Arena
Tom Gola Arena
Tom Gola Arena, The Tom, is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania situated inside the Hayman Center. It is home to the La Salle University Explorers basketball and volleyball teams. It is named after Tom Gola, a Philadelphia basketball player and coach who is in the...
, Philadelphia, PA (3,510)
| 8–6
(1–0)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 15
| January 14
| Pennsylvania
| W 78–53
| Christmas – 25
| Christmas – 9
| Inge/Fernandez – 5
| The Palestra, Philadelphia, PA (4,261)
| 9–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 16
| January 17
| UMass
| L 79–75
| Christmas – 26
| Christmas – 9
| Allen – 5
| William D. Mullins Center, Amherst, MA (7,182)
| 9–7
(1–1)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 17
| January 22
| Saint Louis
2008–09 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball team represented Saint Louis University in the 2008–09 college basketball season. This was head coach Rick Majerus's second season at Saint Louis. The Billikens compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference and played their home games at Chaifetz Arena....
| W 65–40
| Allen – 16
| Allen/Christmas – 7
| Christmas – 5
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (4,856)
| 10–7
(2–1)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 18
| January 24
| Charlotte
Charlotte 49ers men's basketball
The Charlotte 49ers men's basketball team represents UNC Charlotte in the Atlantic 10 Conference.-Coaches:-Coaching staff:-Professional Players:The following Charlotte basketball players appeared in at least one game in the NBA:*Cedric Ball...
| W 80–53
| Inge – 19
| Allen – 10
| Fernandez – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (5,747)
| 11–7
(3–1)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 19
| January 28
| Rhode Island
Rhode Island Rams men's basketball
The Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Rhode Island. The team is currently coached by Jim Baron, who is in his 10th year...
| L 67–59
| Christmas – 27
| Micheal Eric – 7
| Guzman – 3
| Thomas M. Ryan Center, Kingston, RI (5,028)
| 11–8
(3–2)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 20
| January 31
| Richmond
2008–09 Richmond Spiders men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Richmond Spiders men's basketball team represented the University of Richmond in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college basketball during the 2008–09 season...
| W 74–65
| Inge – 19
| Christmas – 13
| Christmas – 3
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (6,087)
| 12–8
(4–2)
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 21
| February 5
| #9 Xavier
Xavier Musketeers men's basketball
The Xavier Musketeers team is the basketball team that represents Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference...
| L 83–74
| Olmos – 18
| Allen – 14
| Christmas – 8
| Cintas Center
Cintas Center
Cintas Center is a 10,250 seat multi-purpose arena and conference center at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The arena officially opened in 2000 and was constructed through private donations as part of Xavier University's Century Campaign...
, Cincinnati, OH (10,250)
| 12–9
(4–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 22
| February 8
| Rhode Island
Rhode Island Rams men's basketball
The Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Rhode Island. The team is currently coached by Jim Baron, who is in his 10th year...
| W 68–62
| Allen – 23
| Allen – 13
| Inge – 7
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (5,654)
| 13–9
(5–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 23
| February 12
| Saint Joseph's
Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball
The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its home court is the Hagan Arena. The team's only Final Four appearance in 1961 was removed from the NCAA records due to a gambling scandal. Through...
| W 61–59
| Christmas – 19
| Christmas – 11
| Christmas/Inge – 4
| The Palestra, Philadelphia, PA (8,722)
| 14–9
(6–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 24
| February 15
| Duquesne
Duquesne Dukes men's basketball
The Duquesne Dukes represent Duquesne University in college basketball. The team, which started in 1914, has only ever played in NCAA Division I and has had five appearances in the NCAA Tournament...
| W 78–73
| Fernandez – 19
| Craig Williams – 6
| Christmas – 4
| A.J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, PA (4,029)
| 15–9
(7–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 25
| February 18
| Fordham
Fordham Rams
The 22 Fordham University varsity sports teams are known as the Fordham Rams. Their colors are maroon and white. The Fordham Rams are members of NCAA Division I and compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference for all sports except football. In football, the Rams play in the Patriot League of NCAA...
| W 72–45
| Allen – 19
| Allen – 11
| Fernandez – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (3,837)
| 16–9
(8–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 26
| February 22
| St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure Bonnies
The St. Bonaventure Bonnies are the varsity intercollegiate athletic programs of St. Bonaventure University, based in Allegany, New York, USA. The school sponsors 14 athletic programs , all of which compete in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic 10 Conference, of which it has been a member since 1979. ...
| W 70–56
| Allen – 20
| Allen – 18
| Allen – 4
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (7,092)
| 17–9
(9–3)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 27
| February 26
| La Salle
La Salle Explorers men's basketball
The La Salle Explorers Men's Basketball Team is the college basketball program representing La Salle University.-History:The program has been rated the 53rd "Greatest College Basketball Program of All-Time" by Street & Smith's magazine and 71st by the ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia.La Salle...
| L 70–63
| Christmas – 19
| Allen – 12
| Fernandez – 6
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (6,031)
| 17–10
(9–4)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 28
| February 28
| Dayton
Dayton Flyers men's basketball
The Dayton Flyers men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Dayton. They are known for a rivalry with Xavier University, playing for the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy each year.-History:The...
| L 70–65
| Christmas/Brooks – 20
| Allen – 11
| Guzman – 4
| University of Dayton Arena
University of Dayton Arena
University of Dayton Arena is a 13,455-seat multi-purpose arena in Dayton, Ohio. The arena opened in 1969. It is home to the University of Dayton Flyers basketball teams....
, Dayton, OH (13,435)
| 17–11
(9–5)
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 29
| March 5
| Saint Joseph's
Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball
The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its home court is the Hagan Arena. The team's only Final Four appearance in 1961 was removed from the NCAA records due to a gambling scandal. Through...
| W 68–59
| Christmas – 23
| Williams – 9
| Fernandez – 5
| Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (9,349)
| 18–11
(10–5)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 30
| March 7
| George Washington
George Washington Colonials men's basketball
The George Washington Colonials Basketball team represents The George Washington University in Washington, DC. It plays its home games in the Charles E. Smith Center, which is also shared with other George Washington Colonials athletic programs. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic...
| W 63–53
| Allen – 17
| Allen – 16
| Inge – 5
| Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, DC (2,828)
| 19–11
(11–5)
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 31
| March 12
| Saint Joseph's
Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball
The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its home court is the Hagan Arena. The team's only Final Four appearance in 1961 was removed from the NCAA records due to a gambling scandal. Through...
| W 79–65
| Brooks – 19
| Allen – 13
| Inge/Christmas – 4
| Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall, formally known as the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall, is an arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States...
, Atlantic City, NJ (4,837)
| 20–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 32
| March 13
| #19 Xavier
Xavier Musketeers men's basketball
The Xavier Musketeers team is the basketball team that represents Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference...
| W 55–53
| Christmas – 20
| Allen – 11
| Christmas – 3
| Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
| 21–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB"
| 33
| March 14
| Duquesne
Duquesne Dukes men's basketball
The Duquesne Dukes represent Duquesne University in college basketball. The team, which started in 1914, has only ever played in NCAA Division I and has had five appearances in the NCAA Tournament...
| W 69–64
| Christmas – 29
| Allen – 14
| Inge – 8
| Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ (6,823)
| 22–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"
| 34
| March 20
| Arizona State
| L 66–57
| Christmas – 29
| Allen – 10
| Allen/Inge – 4
| AmericanAirlines Arena
AmericanAirlines Arena
The AmericanAirlines Arena is a sports and entertainment arena located in Downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay. It was constructed beginning in 1998 as a replacement for the Miami Arena and was designed by the architecture firms Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture. The Arena is home to the...
, Miami, FL (10,163)
| 22–12
|-
Preconference season
Dionte ChristmasDionte Christmas
Dionte Christmas is an American basketball player. Christmas is listed as 6 ft 5 in and 205 lb .-High school career:...
scored 35 points to lead Temple past #8 Tennessee on December 13 88–72. This was Temple's first win over a top ten team since the 2006 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament
2006 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2006 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament was played from March 8 to March 11, 2006, at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The winner was named champion of the Atlantic 10 Conference and received an automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. Xavier University...
, when the Owls upset #6 George Washington
George Washington Colonials men's basketball
The George Washington Colonials Basketball team represents The George Washington University in Washington, DC. It plays its home games in the Charles E. Smith Center, which is also shared with other George Washington Colonials athletic programs. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic...
; John Chaney was coaching Temple at the time. The Owls started the game with a 8–0 lead and never faltered, with Tennessee only tying the score at 15 and never leading. Christmas started the second half with a three-pointer and scored three consecutive threes on a 17–6 run. For the game, he was 7-for-14 from the perimeter and 12-for-22 from the field. Sergio Olmos's 19 points were a career high, and Ryan Brooks registered a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Postseason
Temple was given a four seed in the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament was played at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey from March 11 through March 14, 2009. The winner of the tournament received an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and was crowned Atlantic 10 Conference...
; they received a bye
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
and faced Saint Joseph's
Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball
The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its home court is the Hagan Arena. The team's only Final Four appearance in 1961 was removed from the NCAA records due to a gambling scandal. Through...
in the quarterfinals.
In the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
, Temple was seeded eleventh in the South Regional, where they faced the sixth-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils in the first round. On March 20, 2009, behind a then career-high 22 points by Sun Devil Derek Glasser, Arizona State eliminated Temple 66–57. The Owls never had a lead, but cut the deficit to 52–49, the closest the game ever got. Temple's offense went without a field goal in the final 5:02. However, their defense held Arizona State star James Harden
James Harden (basketball)
James Edward Harden, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association . A shooting guard, Harden played collegiate basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected 3rd overall by the Thunder in the 2009 NBA Draft...
to nine points, less than half his season average, and 1-of-8 shooting. Dionte Christmas played all 40 minutes, shot 5-for-11 from behind the arc and scored 29 points in his final collegiate game.