Senior forward Craig Williams of the men’s basketball team has undergone surgery on his right foot according to a press release from the team. The 6-foot-9-inch forward fractured the fifth metatarsal of his foot over the summer while in his native Virgin Islands. Williams will need around three months to recover from the surgery and is expected to miss the first month of the season.

Williams, who appeared in 29 games last year while averaging 3.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, was expected to be Temple’s first post player off the bench for the upcoming season.  Without him, the Owls will need to rely on freshman forward Anthony Lee when junior center Michael Eric or junior forward Lavoy Allen are not on the floor. Additionally, instead of replacing Allen or Eric with Lee or another big man, Temple coach Fran Dunphy could choose to utilize a four-guard set more often.

Regardless of Dunphy’s strategy, Williams’ injury, along with the departure of sophomore forwards Carmel Bouchman and Chris Clarke, leaves the Temple bench significantly smaller.

The Owls open the season on Nov. 12 when Seton Hall visits the Liacouras Center.