Using a points system devised by ESPN's Stats and Information Department, ESPN has been counting down the 50 most successful basketball programs of the last half century. Temple men's basketball came in at number 18. Temple "accumulated the ninth-most points (197) from 1984-2001. The eight teams ahead of the Owls in that period all won a national title," wrote ESPN.com columnists. The Owls "reached five Elite Eights from 1988-2001 and 17 of 18 NCAA tournaments from 1984-2001 (missed in 1989)."