On Tuesday (Jan. 17), the Temple men's basketball team had its first official practice in its new state-of-the-art practice facility in Pearson-McGonigle Hall.

In addition to the new regulation-size courts, the new baseketball facilities feature 24-hour access, coaches' offices, locker rooms, recruiting and meeting space, strength and conditioning areas, an academic study lounge and other features.

"It means we have a home of our own, where we can come whenever we want, card-swipe our way in and work on some things," said Coach Fran Dunphy. "We haven't had that luxury. And I mean that sincerely. It's a luxury to have this. There's plenty of really good basketball teams that don't have what we are now experiencing."

Pearson-McGonigle is undergoing a $58 million renovation, slated to be completed in March, as part of the university's 20/20 framework for campus development. In addition to the basketball facilities, the project will add additional recreational space, classrooms, offices and a front atrium providing retail opportunities and transparency to Broad Street.

The Temple men's basketball team returns to the Liacouras Center tonight to host Atlantic 10 Conference and Philadelphia rival La Salle. For more information visit www.owlsports.com.