Men’s games to watch

Per tradition, the Owls will face a season full of tough non-conference opponents.

VS. SETON HALL, NOV. 12

The Owls waste little time starting the season as they go up against Seton Hall, a member of the vaunted Big East Conference. The Owls defeated the Pirates, 71-65, last season, but they trailed by as many as 13 points in the game. Senior guard Jeremy Hazell, who averaged 20.4 points per game last season en route to being named to the Second Team All-Big East squad, leads Seton Hall.

@MARYLAND, DEC. 5

When the Owls go up against the Terrapins in the BB&T Classic, they’ll face a team with a lot of question marks. Maryland finished 24-9 last year and finished the season as the No. 20 team in the nation, but the team also graduated its three leading scorers.

VS. GEORGETOWN, DEC. 9

Last season, the Owls lost to the No. 19 Hoyas, 46-45, in Washington, D.C. Despite Temple’s loss, the game cemented coach Fran Dunphy’s squad as defensive-minded contenders. The Owls limited Georgetown to a 35.7 percent field goal percentage in the loss. With the No. 20 Hoyas visiting the Liacouras Center this time, the Owls have a perfect opportunity to secure a signature win.

@VILLANOVA, DEC. 30

After last year’s 75-65 upset win over then-No. 3 Villanova, the Owls must be prepared for the Wildcats to be even more geared up for this game than usual. Last year’s win came at the Liacouras Center, but the crowd also prominently featured Villanova supporters. Playing on the Main Line won’t be an issue for the Owls, but playing the No. 6 team in the nation might be. A win would help Temple’s Ratings Percentage Index tremendously.

@DUKE, FEB. 23

The Blue Devils are ranked as the top team in the nation in both major polls. If the Owls manage to travel to Durham, N.C., and come away with a victory, it would do wonders for their NCAA Tournament seeding. The matchup with the Blue Devils is the last out-of-conference game on the schedule, so if Temple is on the bubble late in the season, this game could make or break the team’s at-large bid chances.