In today's episode, recorded on January 13, 2025, I touch on several Big topics in the Big 5, including Villanova's NCAA tournament chances, Saint Joseph's Atlantic 10 tournament chances, and an idea for how to get more students at Big 5 games.

Stories mentioned in podcast:

Aggressive mentality leads Saint Joseph’s to dominating victory over Loyola Chicago

Big 5 Weekly Roundup, January 6-12: La Salle’s Deuce Jones is Big5Hoops.com Player of Week

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, recorded on January 6, 2025, I am joined by David Malandra Jr., who covers Philadelphia sports for Sports Talk Philly.

We talk about how David got interested in sportswriting, his breakdown of Temple and Villanova, and much, much more!

Stories mentioned in podcast:

Villanova is impressive in defeating DePaul and now faces big tests this week

Big 5 Weekly Roundup, December 31-January 4: Villanova’s Wooga Poplar is the Big5Hoops.com Player of the Week after helping Wildcats to victories over Butler and DePaul

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, recorded on December 30, 2024, I am joined by Atlantic 10 commissioner Bernadette McGlade.

We talk about Bernadette's distinguished background in college athletics and key topics surrounding the Atlantic 10, including scheduling, expansion, and NCAA tournament bids.

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, recorded on December 23, 2024, I am joined by Riley Frain (@rileyfrain), who covers college basketball for Mid-Major Madness.

We talk about how Riley got interested in sportswriting, his breakdown of Drexel and the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), Saint Joseph's and the Atlantic 10 (A-10), and much, much more!

Stories mentioned in podcast:

Big 5 Weekly Roundup, December 16-22: Temple’s Elijah Gray is the Big 5 Player of the Week after lifting Owls to 2,000th career victory

Derek Simpson’s all-around impressive play helps Saint Joseph’s rout Virginia Tech

Inside Saint Joseph’s: Wednesday’s performance against American a good start for Erik Reynolds II to return to form

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, recorded on December 16, 2024, I am joined by David Szczepanski (@WXVUDavidS), the student sports director of WXVU Villanova radio.

We talk about his budding sportscasting career and Villanova's chances in the Big East conference.

Stories mentioned in podcast:

-Big 5 Weekly Roundup, December 9–15

-Bracy Column: New Big 5 format is a success, but Hall of Fame recognition needs to change

-Story/interview with former La Salle coach Dr. John Giannini

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, recorded on December 9, 2024, I am joined by former La Salle coach and newly minted Big 5 Hall of Famer Dr. John Giannini. In a wide-ranging interview, Giannini talks about how honored he is to be recognized by the Big 5; insight into his time at La Salle, particularly the Explorers' 2013 run to the NCAA Sweet 16; a breakdown of the six Big 5 teams; and suggestions on how to improve the Big 5 Classic, which he likes.

Stories mentioned in podcast:

-12/8/24: Bracy Column: Experiences and memories made up for the games in the second Big 5 Classic

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, recorded on December 1, 2024, I am joined by play-by-play broadcaster Matt Martucci (@toochPXP). Martucci is the radio voice of the Saint Joseph's University men's basketball team and television voice of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), in addition to other work. Martucci and analyst John Giannini will be the TV commentators for the Big 5 Classic on Saturday, December 7 at Wells Fargo Center.

Stories mentioned in podcast:

-Big 5 Weekly Roundup: November 25–December 1

-Bracy Column: La Salle’s dominant performance against Temple kept beaming Explorers fans smiling afterward

-Mel Greenberg MVP Award to be presented at inaugural women’s Big 5 Classic

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

n today's episode, recorded on November 25, 2024, I am joined by Jonathan Tannenwald (@jtannenwald), who covers soccer and basketball for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

We talk soccer, the WNBA, and Big 5 basketball.

Stories mentioned in podcast:

-Big 5 Weekly Roundup: November 18–24

-Bracy Column: Villanova's rout of Penn a step in the right direction

-Big 5 Hoops X Spaces Show: November 24, 2024

Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, recorded on November 18, 2024, I am joined by Josh Verlin (@jmverlin), who covers Philadelphia high school and college basketball for City of Basketball Love.

We talk, as you'd expect, lots of Big 5 basketball!

Stories mentioned in podcast:

-Bracy Column on Derek Simpson dunk

-Dan Baker review of my book

-Big 5 weekly roundup

Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025

-Publisher: Brookline Books

-Questions? Email: [email protected]

In today's special episode, recorded on Saturday, November 2, 2024, we preview Drexel's 2024-25 season as part of our Big 5 Season Preview Package.

The schedule: Monday: Villanova; Tuesday: Temple; Wednesday: Saint Joseph's; Thursday: Penn; Friday: La Salle; Today: Drexel.

Content on Big5Hoops.com for each school: Season Preview Story, Season Preview Capsule, Player Spotlight Story.

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Follow my coverage of the Big 5 on social media with the hashtag #Big5Hoops, in addition to Big5Hoops.com. You can find me on IG/X/Threads (@Aaron_Bracy) and in other places with this link. Also search for the hashtags #PhillySports, #0304stjoesbook and #aSoaringSeason.

Preorder my book: https://big5hoops.com/asoaringseason/

-Title: A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks

-Author: Aaron Bracy

-Foreword: Joe Lunardi

-Expected publication date: March 1, 2025