By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Temple Owls are on their way to Dayton for Friday’s NCAA tournament contest against North Carolina State.

Temple has been down this road before, six straight trips to the big dance.

Four of the last five have been one-game exits, but head coach Fran Dunphy says there is always optimism.

(Credit: Mike DeNardo)

“It’s the first day of spring training. We have hopes and expectations and I hope we do a good job. We have a tough opponent in NC State and it’s not going to be easy. But it’s a wonderful challenge in front of us,” says Dunphy.

With North Carolina State’s balanced scoring attack, it’ll be a battle, says senior guard Khalif Wyatt.

“As of now, everybody’s seen everybody play before. So it’s all about going out there and executing,” Wyatt says.

The ninth-seeded Owls face the eighth seed Wolfpack Friday afternoon.