Perennial powers UNC, Wisconsin high Temple's nonconference schedule
Owls open against Tar Heels in Veterans Classic at Naval Academy, visit Badgers at start of home-and-home series.
NORTH CAROLINA, projected by many as the preseason No. 1 team in the country, and Wisconsin, coming off consecutive Final Four appearances, highlight Temple basketball's 2015-16 nonconference schedule, which was released yesterday.
"Opening the season against a perennial national power in North Carolina and adding a high-caliber program like Wisconsin to an already strong schedule presents a great opportunity for our program," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said.
The Owls open Nov. 13 in the Veterans Classic at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., against the Tar Heels, who reached the Sweet 16 this past season. The 7 p.m. game will kick off college basketball coverage on CBS Sports Network for the season and will be followed by Navy vs. Florida.
The Owls will take part in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off for the third time in the last nine seasons. The field of the three-game, four-day tournament includes Butler, Miami, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri State, Texas Tech and Utah. Pairings have not yet been announced.
The Owls host Delaware in their home opener on Nov. 29, and Fairleigh Dickinson visits next, on Dec. 2, in its first appearance at the Liacouras Center.
Temple begins its new home-and-home series against Wisconsin on Dec. 5; the Badgers will visit the Liacouras Center during the 2017-18 season.
In Big 5 play, Temple visits Penn on Dec. 9, hosts Saint Joseph's Dec. 13, plays La Salle at the Palestra on Jan. 20 as part of doubleheader to mark the 60th anniversary of the City Series and hosts Villanova on Feb. 17.
The Owls also host Delaware State on Dec. 19.
TEMPLE NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Friday Nov. 13: vs. North Carolina (Annapolis, Md.)
Nov. 19, 20 & 22: Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Sunday, Nov. 29: DELAWARE
Wednesday, Dec. 2: FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
Saturday, Dec. 5: at Wisconsin
Wednesday, Dec. 9: at Penn
Sunday, Dec. 13: SAINT JOSEPH'S
Saturday, Dec. 19: DELAWARE STATE
Wednesday, Jan. 20: vs. La Salle (Palestra)
Wednesday, Feb. 17: VILLANOVA