Under Fran Dunphy, Temple has knocked off one milestone after another in its return to the national stage. Win the Atlantic 10 tournament title. Return to the national rankings and the NCAA tournament. Win a tournament game. Win the outright A-10 title.
For a program that hit some lean times in John Chaney's final seasons, each feat was a reason for the Owls to celebrate.
Not this season. When the Owls saw their name on the NCAA bracket on the selection show, there were no jumps for joy or a wild party.
In this NCAA tournament, it's playing at least into the second weekend - or bust.
The Owls (24-7) are one of the more seasoned teams in the field of 68. They earned the No. 5 seed in the Midwest and won't know their opponent until California and South Florida play Wednesday night.
Temple guard and leading scorer Ramone Moore, one of five upperclassman in the starting lineup, said it would be ''disappointing'' if the Owls failed to advance out of the opening weekend.
''All the seniors, we've been here long enough,'' Moore said. ''We're past the stage of just getting there and making it. We want to win some games.
''I think it would mean a lot for our program.''
Dunphy snapped an 11-game tournament losing streak that started at Penn when the Owls beat Penn State 66-64 last season. The Owls followed with a 71-64 double-overtime loss to San Diego State. The win over the Nittany Lions was Temple's first in the tournament since 2001, when it made the regional finals under Chaney.
''We know how close it was, how close it could have been,'' Moore said, ''to advance to the Sweet 16.''
Before Temple fans think about marking a ''W'' on their tournament bracket, they need a team on the other line.
It's not the guessing that bothers Dunphy, it's the waiting. After all, Temple has a week off because of a one-and-done effort in the Atlantic 10 tournament.
''The concern will be, the time off,'' Dunphy said. ''I don't have the answer. We're going to practice like we normally practice.''
The Owls planned to gather in a hotel ballroom and watch at least the first half of Cal-South Florida together. Dunphy said he'd likely send the players to their rooms where he hoped the Owls would watch the second half.
Dunphy expected his players to be mature enough to watch the conclusion, and not surf the dial. When the selection show played at Temple's Liacouras Center on Sunday, Dunphy stood in the lobby, away from his players, watching their reaction and waiting for news of Temple's fate.
''It wasn't the same as North Carolina State, for example,'' Dunphy said. ''Those guys were juiced.''
He loved the way the Owls reacted. Moore (17.7 points) and Juan Fernandez (who hit the winner vs. Penn State) are seniors. Center Micheal Eric is a graduate student. Guards Khalif Wyatt and Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson are juniors. That's a hefty number of high-pressure games played the last few seasons.
Under Dunphy, in his sixth season at Temple, the Owls have become a threat to go deep in March. They knocked off then-No. 5 Duke in January, extending a run of consecutive seasons with a win over a top-10 nonconference team to four.
Dunphy loves the pressure. He calls it a privilege.
He wants the team to feel the same way. He was blunt with the top-seeded Owls after they lost to Massachusetts in the A-10 tournament.
''We let a lot of people down,'' Dunphy said. ''I don't like letting people down. It bothers me.''
Heavy stuff. But Dunphy wanted the Owls to know they represent more than the team - the carry the banner for the university, Philadelphia basketball, and for all fans connected with the program.
''Pretty soon, they're not going to have to worry about this anymore,'' Dunphy said. ''Their window of opportunity to be in pressure situations will be over and done.''
The Owls could own a familiar scouting report if they play Cal. The Golden Bears used a 16-1 run late in the second half to beat Temple 57-50 last season. Harper Kamp scored 13 points and Allen Crabbe had 12 in the game. Crabbe (15.3) led Cal in scoring this season and Kamp averaged 11.3 points.
The Owls insisted their preparation won't be affected by a mystery team.
''It's not that difficult,'' Moore said. ''Once we find out, it will be easier. We've done it the last few years with the A-10.''
