After win, Dunphy has praise for Villanova

Fran Dunphy wasn't going to take the bait. After Sunday's 90-77 second round NIT win over George Washington, the Temple coach was asked whether with all the ups and downs from the last week, if he was surprised that the Owls are last Philadelphia team still playing.

"I didn't think about it although last night when I watched a lot of the Villanova game, they are such a good basketball  team," Dunphy said. "I texted Jay (Wright) after the game last night to tell him how proud of his program and him and VIllanova I am."

It's no secret that the fan bases of Temple and Villanova don't see eye to eye, but Dunphy had nothing but admiration for the Wildcats.

"They are just an awesome, awesome team," he said. "It was one of those games that happened for them."

So he wasn't going to pit one program that is playing over one that is finished, albeit from the NCAA tournament.

"As far as we are concerned we love playing and hopefully we can continue playing," Dunphy said.

Temple will host the winner of Monday's NIT game between Texas A&M and Louisiana Tech on Wednesday at a time to be determined.