Fran Dunphy has watched the best of Philly college hoops from every kind of angle.
As a kid, he saw those old Big 5 doubleheaders from the hard wooden bleachers inside the creaky Palestra. He was co-captain at La Salle in the 1960s and molded a perennial Ivy League title team in 17 years coaching at Penn.
His latest stop might top them all.
Dunphy has Temple firmly back in the Top 25, atop the Atlantic 10 standings and again in the conversation as one of the premier programs in the sport.
``There's a lot of tremendous college basketball played in the city of Philadelphia over the years,'' Dunphy said. ``It's fun for a guy that's been around.''
Few seasons might end up as fun as this one has been for Dunphy. His Owls (17-3, 5-0 A-10) have tossed aside preseason expectations like the wrappers on a Palestra soft pretzel. Picked to finish fifth in the conference, the Owls are ranked 15th, and have won six straight games and 13 of 14 entering Wednesday night at Charlotte (14-5, 4-1).
Those types of lofty streaks and rankings haven't been seen in north Philadelphia since the end of Hall of Fame coach John Chaney's glory days in 2001. The Owls are off to their best start since the last time they opened 17-3, in 1993-94.
Still on the list for the Owls is another milestone they've not seen since 2001: an NCAA tournament victory.
Mention the tournament, or even next week's games, to Dunphy and the conversation shuts down faster than an offense running into Temple's stingy defense. All he cares about is today's practice, tomorrow's game.
It's the kind of simple approach that returned the Owls to the tournament in 2008, earlier in Dunphy's tenure than most fans would have expected, and - barring major injuries or a meltdown - has them pointed toward their third straight NCAA berth. The only ranked and unbeaten team in the A-10 has morphed from a surprise into a sensation. Temple's time of sneaking up on teams has expired.
``Maybe we kind of want them to keep being surprised because it's more motivation for us to continue to go out there and show them what we're capable of doing,'' guard Ryan Brooks said. ``We've been the underdog for a couple of years now.''
Chaney, who will be inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame on Friday, could only get the Owls to the NIT in his final seasons. Dunphy has patiently lifted the Owls back to national prominence.
Behind the mild-mannered demeanor and mustache is perhaps one of the most underrated coaches around. Dunphy led Penn to nine NCAA tournaments and Temple to two - all as automatic bids. No fretting on Selection Sunday hoping his team is called as part of the field of 65 - though his tournament record is a dreadful 1-11.
Winning at least a game is now as expected in March as filling out a line on the bracket.
Penn went to the tournament in its first year after Dunphy left, using players he recruited, and is now on the brink of its third straight losing season.
Temple hadn't enjoyed March Madness in seven years until Dunphy won the first of two straight Atlantic 10 tournament titles in 2008.
The common denominator between the Quakers' steep decline and Temple's resurgence? Dunphy.
``We've got no secrets,'' Dunphy said. ``I'd like to tell you I've got all these secrets in my stash somewhere that I just pull out.''
He's pulled out all the right moves with the Owls. They're sixth in the nation in defense, allowing only 56.3 points per game. Temple has held all but one opponent under their season scoring average.
Losing three-time A-10 scoring champion Dionte Christmas didn't cripple their offense, it just made the Owls count on more players for scoring.
Brooks leads them with a 16.0 ppg average, and Allen averages 10.6 points and 9.8 rebounds. Juan Fernandez (13.5 ppg) hit seven 3-pointers and scored a career-high 33 points in the Owls' 75-65 stunner over No. 3 Villanova in December that helped them burst into the national rankings. The Owls' first win over a top-five team since beating No. 1 Cincinnati in 2000 came early in this torrid stretch where they have one loss since Nov. 28.
Temple also leads the A-10 and ranks sixth nationally in fewest turnovers per game (10.6 tpg.).
The Owls put a Jan. 2 blowout loss against then-No. 1 Kansas behind them. Keep up this kind of winning pace, and the Owls could run the table in the A-10.
``It's a real possibility,'' Allen said. ``I think if we work hard, we have a chance.''
The Owls have no glaring holes as they enter the thick of their conference season.
``Sometimes we play down to our competition and that's one of the things we need to work on,'' Allen said.
It's always easier to get pumped for Villanova or Kansas than a lazy Sunday afternoon against UMass. That won't be a problem Saturday against La Salle. The A-10 coaches picked the Explorers, who haven't played in the NCAA tournament since 1992, to finish above Temple.
Proving they are Philly's top A-10 team should only be a slice of motivation the Owls will need.
Chaney will be attendance and honored at halftime for his city hoops hall induction. Ask the casual Philadelphia basketball fan about Temple and Chaney might still be the first name that comes to mind. Dunphy, who speaks often with Chaney and had his blessing to take over the program, would love to match his predecessor, who took Temple to five regional finals.
``He's a piece of work,'' Dunphy said. ``I love talking to him. He's made a big difference in a lot of people's lives.''
Dunphy prides himself as the caretaker of a program that's had only four other coaches - Chaney, Don Casey, Harry Litwack and Josh Cody - since 1942. He's no in hurry to see another coach added to the list.
``I'll be here,'' he said, ``if they'll have me.''
With the way Temple is playing, the Owls wouldn't want anyone else.
