Temple Faces Surging Wichita State in Key Conference Matchup

Shockers have won 7 of their last 9 games, led by standout guard Kenyon Giles

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:52pm

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The Temple Owls will travel to Wichita, Kansas to take on the surging Wichita State Shockers on Saturday night. The Shockers have won 7 of their last 9 games and are currently tied for second place in the American Athletic Conference standings. Wichita State is led by senior guard Kenyon Giles, who is averaging 18.8 points per game and recently had a 24-point performance in a double-overtime win against Charlotte. Temple will look to end its own 3-game losing streak in this key conference matchup.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams as they jockey for position in the American Athletic Conference standings. Wichita State is looking to solidify its spot near the top of the league, while Temple is trying to bounce back from a recent skid and remain in the mix for a high seed in the conference tournament.

The details

Wichita State has won 5 of its last 6 games and 7 of its last 9 overall. The Shockers are led by senior guard Kenyon Giles, who is averaging 18.8 points per game and recently had a 24-point performance in a double-overtime win against Charlotte. Wichita State also gets contributions from Karon Boyd (11.1 ppg) and TJ Williams (27 points in the win over ECU). Temple has lost 3 straight games and will look to get a bounce-back performance from wing guard Gavin Griffiths, who has struggled with injuries and illness recently after a strong start to the season.

  • The game will tip off at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • Wichita State's 92-89 double-overtime win over Charlotte was on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Kenyon Giles

A 5-foot-10 senior guard for Wichita State who is averaging 18.8 points per game this season, tied for second in the American Athletic Conference.

Gavin Griffiths

A 6-foot-7 wing guard for Temple who has battled injuries and illness this season, but is a key player for the Owls when healthy.

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What they’re saying

“He's gotta figure it out, right? We believe in him. He works on his craft. He's in here extra every single day besides practice. He's gonna make shots. He's a really good player and we need him to make shots, and he will.”

— Adam Fisher, Temple Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a higher seed in the upcoming American Athletic Conference tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions will be a crucial test for both squads as they look to position themselves for the stretch run of the conference season. Wichita State's hot streak has them in the hunt for a top spot, while Temple needs a win to get back on track after a recent skid.