The Saint Joseph’s Hawks are set to compete against their long-time rival, the Temple Owls, in the 162nd matchup of their historic rivalry. This Big 5 Classic game will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Fans can watch the event live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Rivalry Background
This contest marks the second meeting in the Big 5 Classic between the two schools. Their previous encounter was in the championship game in 2023. Historically, half of the games between Saint Joseph’s and Temple have been played at neutral sites. Out of 161 previous encounters, notable venues include The Palestra and Convention Hall.
Player Milestones
- Justice Ajogbor, a key player for Saint Joseph’s, is on the verge of achieving a milestone.
- Ajogbor currently has 99 blocked shots and needs just one more to reach 100 career blocks.
- He ranks third on the active NCAA Division I career blocks list with a total of 196 blocks, including his time at Harvard.
Saint Joseph’s roster showcases significant height, featuring players like Jaden Smith (6’11”) and Steven Solano (7’0″). Temple’s tallest player is senior Mohamed Keita, standing at 7’1″.
Traveling Miles
The Hawks’ non-conference schedule reflects an increase in travel, with 6,021 miles covered for road and neutral site games during the 2025-26 season. This is a remarkable increase compared to the previous year, where they traveled only 192 miles.
Temple Owls Overview
Entering this matchup with a record of 4-4, Temple is coming off a 74-56 loss to Villanova. Three players on the team score in double figures, led by Derrian Ford at 16.5 points per game. Aidan Tobiason, a former Delaware State Player of the Year, averages 15.2 points, while Jordan Mason adds 10.5 points per game.
Key Statistics
- Temple averages 26.5 free throw attempts per game, ranking 36th nationally.
- The team is shooting 36.4% from three-point range, a notable improvement this season.
- Temple averages just 8.8 turnovers per game, placing them third in NCAA Division I.
- They rank 12th of 13 teams in The American conference in rebounding with 33.1 boards per contest.
Historical Rivalry Insight
Saint Joseph’s holds a notable 71 wins to Temple’s 90 in their all-time series. This rivalry stands as the most frequently contested for the Hawks. Their first encounter occurred during the 1912-13 season, resulting in a victory for St. Joe’s, 35-24.
Recent Encounter
The last meeting culminated in a win for Saint Joseph’s during the Big 5 Classic on December 2, 2023, where they triumphed over the Owls, 74-65, with Rasheer Fleming leading the charge with 22 points. This victory marked a significant moment in the ongoing rivalry.
Upcoming Games
Following the match against Temple, the Hawks will return to Hagan Arena to face the Coppin State Eagles on December 9, 2025. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be available for viewing on ESPN+.
