In a stunning turn of events, Temple University's men's basketball team, seeded 11th with a 16-19 record, has advanced to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship game after defeating No. 2 seed Florida Atlantic University (FAU) with a final score of 74-73. This victory marks Temple's fifth consecutive win as an underdog, including a notable upset against FAU, where they were 14-point underdogs. The Owls' remarkable journey to the AAC final comes amidst a gambling investigation related to a previous 28-point loss to UAB, which had raised suspicions of point-shaving. Despite the controversy, Temple has demonstrated resilience and skill, securing their spot in the AAC final against UAB, which holds a 22-11 record. The winner of this game, scheduled for Sunday at 3:15 ET on ESPN, will earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament, with Temple seeking its first appearance since 2019 and UAB aiming for its second in the last three seasons. The Owls' performance has been a significant storyline in this year's March Madness, capturing the attention of basketball fans and media alike.
We'll see if the Owls have one last surge in them. They're trailing 43-27 at the half to a better, deeper and more athletic team, and the Blazers are playing like it. Vasquez has 21 points already and hasn't missed from three. Miller has 16 for Temple but isn't getting much help.
Yet again, a similar vibe to this game that was there in the previous tournament games. Temple isn't shooting well (1-for-8 from 3), but the Owls are hanging around and down 7 with a little less than 8 minutes to go in the first half.
How Temple handles UAB's 1-3-1 zone and trapping will determine a lot today. The Owls obviously didn't handle it well in a 28-point loss to the Blazers 10 days ago. They're trailing 8-4 early with 15:44 left in the first half in Fort Worth.
Forget the alleged point shaving, Temple will play for AAC title against UAB on Sunday, amid gambling investigation. Playing against the team that triggered the inquiry is intriguing. Read: https://t.co/CgolG40Pwf https://t.co/sjNXVtpDB5
Since being investigated for suspicious betting patterns in a 100-72 loss to UAB, Temple has FIVE straight outright upset wins: +14 vs. FAU ✅ +6 vs. Charlotte ✅ +12 vs. SMU ✅ +2 vs. UTSA ✅ +4.5 at UTSA ✅
Amid Gambling Investigation, Temple Men’s Basketball Could Earn NCAA Tournament Bid https://t.co/qFf7tcXitj
Temple, with a losing record, stuns FAU in American Athletic Conference semifinal https://t.co/atbSFoslTr
Temple Owls continue miracle run in thriller over Florida Atlantic. The Owls are now one win away from dancing. @IsaacBourne11 recaps the dramatic win. #AACMBB https://t.co/munfnianEM
Temple beat Florida Atlantic 74-73 to reach the AAC championship game and get within a game of the NCAA Tournament. No. 11 seed Temple missed two free throws in the final 10 seconds but forced a turnover as time expired to secure the victory. More ⤵️ https://t.co/sRwbWxxhUI
Temple closed as 14-pt underdogs against FAU -- this is tied for the 3rd-biggest Conference Tournament upset of the last decade via @Bet_Labs and the biggest since 2019 https://t.co/6OEEH1G2Fb
Temple UPSETS Florida Atlantic! https://t.co/6vjW3g1sZ2
Wow. Dezonie missed both free throws, Davis had a chance at a layup, but he dished it to Bremen Lorient. He wasn't ready for it, fumbled the ball and Miller corralled it for Temple as time expired. The Owls win 74-73. They'll play UAB tomorrow for the AAC title.
You can’t script this March Madness! Temple has won 5 straight as a dog and will now play UAB, the same opponent as that crazy line movement 28-point loss. (well, actually, someone might have scripted this)
Temple is heading to the American Athletic Conference finals with a 16-19 record, while being investigated for point shaving. One of the wildest stories in recent March Madness history. https://t.co/Zbaja6WCo6
Incredible move by Temple making their conference tourney final as the 11-seed just days after getting flagged for potential point-shaving in a 30-point loss with suspicious betting activity. They needed to lose to make it look like they were genuinely bad and not point-shaving!
AMERICAN FINALS: Temple (16-19) vs. UAB (22-11) - Sunday 3:15 ET (ESPN) What’s At Stake: - Temple’s first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2019. - UAB’s second bid to the NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons. https://t.co/HREAUpztdb
OMG! FAU COULDNT GET A SHOT OFF! HOLY COW TEMPLE IS GOING TO THE AMERICAN FINAL! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON IN THIS PROGRAM RIGHT NOW!
Temple, with a gambling investigation swirling around the program, helped pop a bubble team's dreams and will play tomorrow for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Against UAB, after earlier game between two was flagged for unusual wagering. You. Can't. Make. This. Stuff. Up.
And the AAC is officially a two-bid league and the perspiration levels of bubble teams continues to rise. UAB vs. Temple to advance to the NCAA tournament.
Wow. A huge 3 from Miller made it a 71-66 game, then Goldin missed both free throws at the other end. Temple ball inside a minute to go.
Temple 64, FAU 62 with 3:52 to go after a Goldin layup. Again, White and Hofman are playing with 4 fouls and have to be careful, just as Hofman was forced to do on that last play. Hysier Miller has 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
Temple 57, FAU 50 with 8:21 to go after a Shane Dezonie layup. The Owls' best stretch of basketball all season continues, this time against a 2023 Final Four team. Again, they're still in a tough spot with White and Hofman on the bench with 4 fouls. https://t.co/7dnFxj5JKe
Temple's in a tough spot here. The Owls have their biggest lead now at 55-50, but Hofman and White both have 4 fouls, and Emmanuel Okpomo has the size but not the feel to defend Goldin. Temple will have to continue to hope for the best with its zone.
Whatever happens tonight, Temple has been an infinitely better basketball team since its 28-point loss to UAB back on March 7. The Owls have won 4 straight since. They've played with energy, defended and communicated better and created momentum for next season. https://t.co/mOVLlSnEtM
At the under-16 timeout with 15:20 left in the first half, Temple has an early 6-5 lead on No. 2 seed FAU. Threes from Jordan Riley and Matteo Picarelli have accounted for the scoring for the Owls, who are shooting 2-for-8 so far.
UAB with the win over South Florida in the semis. Blazers will play FAU/Temple winner tomorrow in the AAC title game with an auto-bid on the line. Bunch of bubble teams pulling for Dusty May and the Owls tomorrow.
March Madness: Florida Atlantic advances to AAC semifinals with win over North Texas https://t.co/bcHE182dWv
Temple, the 11th seed in the @American_MBB tournament, has knocked off No. 3 seed Charlotte, 58-54, to advance to Saturday's semifinal against No. 2 seed FAU at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Gritty win for the Owls, who got 14 from Settle and 11 apiece from Riley and Miller.
Temple just surpassed the 2016 #Tulane team as the lowest seed to reach the AAC tourney semifinals. That Ed Conroy-coached Wave team was 10th (and did it amid accurate reports he would be fired). This Owls team is an 11 seed. Their road will end against FAU tomorrow.
Temple just surpassed the 2016 #Tulane team as the lowest seed to reach the AAC tourney semifinals. That Ed Conroy-coached Wave team was 10th (and did after accurate reports he would be fired). This Owls team is an 11 seed. Their road will end against FAU tomorrow.
Temple has now won 4 straight games as an underdog after their 100-72 loss to UAB was investigated for irregular betting patterns
Temple stopped worrying about spreads and suddenly became a winning basketball team. Owls are up seven on Charlotte with a little over 7:00 to go. They win this and they advance to the American semifinals.
Temple stopped worrying about spreads and suddenly became a great basketball team. Owls are up seven on Charlotte with a little over 7:00 to go. They win this and they advance to the American semifinals.
Temple is holding a 39-34 lead over No. 3 seed Charlotte with 7:52 left to play. A Sam Hofman three just opened up the five-point lead.
Florida Atlantic tops North Texas 77-71 in American Athletic Conference quarterfinals https://t.co/0hMOESQ6WS
Charlotte 25, Temple 24 with 14:44 left to go. Jordan Riley has all 6 of the Owls' second-half points. The 49ers have missed 7 of their first 8 shots in the second half. The two teams have combined to shoot 4-for-28 from three.
Charlotte 22, Temple 18 at halftime. The Owls are very much in this game despite shooting 5 of 25 overall and 1 of 9 from three. Also helps, of course, that the 49ers have shot 7-24 from the floor and 2-12 from three. Steve Settle has a team-high 6 points.
Temple has missed 16 of its first 18 shots and is only trailing by 5 at 12-7 with 7:46 left in the first half. The Owls and 49ers are shooting a combined 6 of 32 so far.
Temple is trailing Charlotte 10-4 with 11:55 left in the first half in tonight's @American_MBB tournament quarterfinal. The Owls are only down 6 despite shooting just 1-for-11 so far. Hysier Miller (2 free throws) and Shane Dezonie (layup) have accounted for Temple's points.
GET TO ESPNU Florida Atlantic has taken a three-point lead over North Texas with 2:42 to go. Winner advances to their first AAC semifinal. 65-62 Owls.