Let's see ...

They were nationally ranked.
They didn't win their conference tournament, but they received a No. 5 seed in the NCAA field.
They delighted their fans, who whooped it up Sunday in the Liacouras Center.
Lavoy Allen, former Owl and current 76er was there, proving they can send players to the pros.

So exactly what is it again that has inspired Temple to leave the Atlantic 10?
Money.
OK, that works.

But as the crowd had fun and the respect grew thicker Sunday, there was one nagging thought: Will it ever be that way again when, in two years, the Owls are in the Big East?

With Fran Dunphy, they will be well-coached enough to thrive in the BCS. But it will be more difficult to be ranked and to have a No. 5 seeding, that's all.

And on a day when the fun was so real, it was enough to lament why it all had to end, just so the football team could have a home schedule that includes Navy, Boise State and Rutgers instead of Ball State, Army and Eastern Michigan.

Check out my column in the Daily Times Monday and, as always, on delcotimes.com