12:01 a.m. on Nov. 21 is the earliest that the NCAA will allow college basketball teams to schedule a game that counts.
At 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 21, Temple and Villanova will tip off at Temple's Liacouras Center to start round-robin play in the Big 5.
The Owls and Wildcats reached a deal in a scheduling feud that could have had disastrous effects on Philadelphia's unofficial conference. Villanova attempted to reschedule the date of the Big 5 game, however, Temple coach John Chaney refused to play on any other date.
This scheduling crisis stems from the suspension of five Villanova players. In March, Villanova imposed suspensions on 12 basketball players who used a phone code illegally. This August, the NCAA passed down additional three to eight-game suspensions to five of these athletes.
In order to get more players eligible for the Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament -- beginning Nov. 24 -- Villanova scheduled two games prior to Maui. The Wildcats scheduled two Division III matchups, one of which conflicted with a Nov. 21 game at Temple. Chaney would not change the date, so Villanova agreed to play Temple and only one Division III team -- College of the Redlands -- on Nov. 22.
According to The Philadelphia Daily News, Villanova coach Jay Wright called Temple Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw to begin talks. Eventually, the late-night game was agreed upon.
Reports note that Penn basketball coach Fran Dunphy -- who could not be reached for comment -- was instrumental in brokering the deal, meeting with Wright and Bradshaw.
