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Amid Big East uncertainty, Dunphy feels good about Temple

Temple basketball coach Fran Dunphy didn't appear too concerned about the future of the Big East in light of the decision of the seven Catholic universities to leave.

While it will impact the quality of the conference itself, Dunphy said he felt good about where Temple is positioned no matter what happens.

The Owls' non-football teams are scheduled to officially leave the Atlantic Ten for the Big East on July 1.  The Temple football team just completed its first season back in the Big East after being kicked out following the 2004 season. The Owls were a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference from 2007-11.

"I think we have a wonderful university and a great city, a basketball program that has great history and tradition," Dunphy said after Monday's 63-46 victory over Alcorn State. "I feel really good about where Temple is.

"But I couldn't venture a guess as to how everything is going to all come together nor when it's all going to come together."

As expected, the Big East non-FBS schools – Villanova, Georgetown, St. John's, Marquette, Seton Hall, DePaul and Providence – officially informed the conference Saturday they will leave the league. Those Catholic universities will look to add schools such as Butler and Xavier and form their own league.

"Again, this is not new stuff," Dunphy said of universities leaving the Big East. "This has been happening for six months. Teams have been jockeying for position. "

As a basketball coach, he said he doesn't have any control of that.

"At this point, the only thing we can control is where we are this year and what we are doing," Dunphy said, "and have great faith and trust in our administration.

"But I think something positive will happen for Temple University, because of how good a place this is."

Louisville has left for the Atlantic Coast Conference and Rutgers departed for the Big Ten since Temple joined the Big East. Cincinnati and Connecticut could also leave the conference. And there's no guarantee that Boise State will ever play a game as a football-only member.