Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Central Connecticut State
10.31.26 | Men's Basketball
The Temple University men's basketball team opens its 131st season Monday against Central Connecticut State at The Liacouras Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with the game broadcast on ESPN+.
The 2026-27 Temple men's basketball season is presented by PFCU.
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Free Hot Dogs / Meek Mill Ticket Giveaway
The first 300 students at Monday's home opener will receive a free hot dog. Students attending the game can also enter to win a pair of tickets to Meek Mill, courtesy of Live Nation.
🚨ATTENTION TUMBB FANS🚨 Come out to the game on Monday at 6:30pm for a chance to win tickets to Meek Mill's Dream Chasers Nights on November 24th at Xfinity Mobile ‼️‼️ You'll be selected in the second half - students must be in attendance to claim. 🎟️: https://t.co/wK0LGXs3kW SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) October 30, 2026
Alternate Route to Liacouras Garage
Due to ongoing utility work, 15th Street will be closed between Norris Street and Montgomery Avenue from Monday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Nov. 6. This closure will impact access to the Liacouras Garage. Please use alternate routes to access the Liacouras Garage and plan accordingly.
Alternate route to Liacouras Garage: Drivers traveling westbound on Norris Street should turn left onto 17th Street, left onto Montgomery Avenue, and right onto 15th Street. The Liacouras Garage entrance will be on the right. Please follow all posted detour signs and allow extra travel time.
New in the Nest
- Temple owns an 85-15 record in season openers since 1926-27. The Owls have won nine of their last 10 openers, including three straight under head coach Adam Fisher. Temple opened last season with an 83-65 victory over Delaware State.
- The Owls return five players, including starters Derrian Ford and Gavin Griffiths, who were named to the American Preseason All-Conference Second Team. Mohamed Keita, Cam Wallace and Olin Chamberlain Jr. also return.
- Ford led Temple and ranked fourth in the American Conference with 18.1 points per game last season, adding 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest. He earned third-team all-conference and first-team All-Big 5 honors while receiving the Palumbo Award as the Big 5's leading scorer. His 167 made free throws, the ninth most in a single season in program history, ranked fourth in the conference and 49th nationally, while his 85.2% free-throw shooting ranked fourth in the conference.
- Griffiths averaged 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds while leading the Owls in rebounding, made 3-pointers and blocked shots. He ranked second in the American Conference and 39th nationally with 1.77 blocks per game. He was the only NCAA Division I player to record at least 60 made 3-pointers and 50 blocks in 2025-26.
- Temple finished last season ranked 11th nationally and second in the American Conference in fewest turnovers per game (9.0). The Owls also ranked second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 70.8 points per game.
- The Owls ranked fourth in the American Conference and 56th nationally with 17.1 made free throws per game. Temple shot 74.7% from the line, third in the conference.
- Temple welcomes nine transfers: Deuce Drake (Indiana), Dez White (Oregon State), Cam Scott (South Carolina), Jordan Marsh (USC), Sir Issac Herron (Louisiana Tech), Edwin Suarez Jr. (Weber State), Baboucarr Njie (UTSA), Christian Beam (Georgia State) and Dallis Dillard (IUP).
- Philadelphia native Derrick Morton-Rivera is the lone freshman on the roster. A two-time PIAA Class 6A first-team all-state selection, he finished as Father Judge's all-time leading scorer with 1,468 points and helped the Crusaders capture back-to-back Philadelphia Catholic League championships.
