Temple hoops going to Europe

PHILADELPHIA — Bon Voyage! That is what the Temple University men’s basketball team will be hoping for when it embarks on the program’s first European tour since 1990.

The Owls will travel to France and Italy this summer, leaving on Aug. 14 and returning on Aug. 13. The 10-day trip will start in Paris and end in Rome with stops in Nice and Florence. The team will play four games during its tour while also taking in the sights and learning about the culture of the two countries.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Temple men’s basketball coach Fran Dunphy. “Academically, we plan to educate our student-athletes on the different cultures as well as the history of the cities we are visiting. Basketball-wise, it will give our young squad a chance to form its own chemistry before we begin our first season of competition in the American Athletic Conference. So it is a win-win scenario.”

Temple, which is one of eight teams to compete in the last six NCAA Tournaments, is coming off a 24-10 season that culminated in a loss to top-seed Indiana, 58-52, in the third round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Eight players return from that squad including junior starters Will Cummings and Anthony Lee.

During the summer, men’s basketball teams are only allowed to practice for two hours per week per NCAA rules. However, due to the fact that the Owls will compete in a foreign trip, the team will also be able to hold 10 full-practices prior to their European trip.

Temple’s first full practice will be held on July 31. Season ticket deposits are currently being taken by the Temple Ticket Sales Office at 215-204-8499. Season tickets will officially go on sale later this summer.