You've probably heard the talk around North Broad Street lately. People are looking at the temple university basketball schedule and trying to figure out if Adam Fisher has actually cracked the code in his third year. Honestly, it's a weird time to be an Owls fan. You’ve got this mix of "Philly Tough" nostalgia and the reality of a modern AAC that’s basically a gauntlet every single night.
If you just glance at the record, you might miss the real story. As of mid-January 2026, Temple is sitting at 11-7. That doesn't scream "National Championship," but if you look at how they've played, specifically at the Liacouras Center, things get interesting. They are 8-1 at home. They’ve turned that arena back into a place where visiting teams' shooting percentages go to die.
The Brutal Stretch: Breaking Down the Temple University Basketball Schedule
The back half of this season is where the rubber meets the road. If you're planning your weekends, you've gotta circle the next few weeks. The Owls just came off a heartbreaker in Memphis—losing 53-55 on January 14. That one stung. It was a defensive masterclass that just ran out of gas in the final two minutes.
But look at what's coming up.
On Sunday, January 18, Florida Atlantic comes to Philly for a noon tip-off. That’s Alumni Day. The place is going to be packed. Then the team hits the road for a Texas swing, playing Rice on January 21 and UTSA on January 24.
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The end of January is basically a residency at home. You have Charlotte on the 28th and South Florida on the 31st. That USF game is the "White Out" game, and there’s some lucky student who’s going to try a half-court shot for ten grand. Probably won't make it, but the energy will be wild regardless.
February and the Final Push
February is usually where Temple teams of the past have either soared or imploded. This year’s temple university basketball schedule doesn't do them any favors with travel.
- February 7: Away at East Carolina. Noon start. Those 12:00 PM road games are always trap games.
- February 11: Down to New Orleans to play Tulane.
- February 15: Back home for North Texas. It’s Hooter’s Birthday. If you have kids, that’s the one to go to.
- February 21: A tough road test at Wichita State. It’s a 6:00 PM game on ESPN2 or ESPNU.
Then we hit March. Senior Day is March 1 against Rice. It’s always emotional, especially for guys like CJ Hines and AJ Smith who have put in the work to rebuild this culture. The regular season wraps up at Tulsa on March 8 before everyone heads to Birmingham for the AAC Championship starting March 11.
Why This Roster Is Different
Forget the names you used to know. This team is built on length and weirdly aggressive perimeter defense. Gavin Griffiths, the junior transfer who’s 6'7", has been a revelation. He’s got that "in the gym" range where he’ll pull up from the logo and you’re not even mad because it usually goes in.
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Then you have Mohamed Keita in the middle. He’s 7'1" and basically acts as a human eraser. Even if a guard beats their man, they see Keita and suddenly decide a contested floater is a better idea than a layup. Spoiler: it isn't.
But let’s talk about the freshman, Olin Chamberlain Jr. He’s a local kid from St. Joe’s Prep. Playing point guard at Temple as a freshman is like being a starting quarterback in the SEC—the pressure is immense. He’s had some "rookie" moments, sure, but his vision is something Temple hasn't had in years.
Managing Your Expectations
Look, being a Temple fan means acknowledging the limitations. We aren't in the Atlantic 10 anymore, and the Big 5 isn't what it was in 1984. The loss to Villanova back in December (56-74) was a reality check. The Owls aren't quite at that "elite" tier yet.
However, the win against Princeton on December 22 (65-61) showed something else. It showed grit. Princeton is a smart, disciplined team, and Temple out-scrapped them. That’s the identity Fisher is trying to bake into the bricks of the Liacouras Center.
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The biggest misconception is that this team is just a "transfer portal experiment." It's not. Between Tunde Durodola's growth and Aiden Tobiason's spark off the bench, there's a core here that actually feels like a team, not just a collection of talent.
Actionable Steps for the Rest of the Season
If you’re following the temple university basketball schedule, don't just watch the scores on your phone.
- Get to the Liacouras Center for the South Florida game (Jan 31). It’s a Saturday night, 8:00 PM. That is peak college hoops atmosphere.
- Watch the turnover margin. Temple wins when they keep it under 11. When they get sloppy, they lose. It’s that simple.
- Check the AAC standings daily. The conference is top-heavy this year with Memphis and FAU. Temple is fighting for a top-4 seed to get that crucial bye in Birmingham.
- Download the OwlSports app. Seriously, the game times change for TV more often than you'd think.
The reality is that this team is fun again. They play hard, they defend the home court, and they’ve got a coach who actually seems to enjoy being in Philadelphia. Whether they make the Big Dance or end up in the NIT, the foundation is finally solid. Keep an eye on those Wednesday night home games; they’re often the difference between a winning season and a "what if" year.