In today's episode, published on January 8, 2026, I assess the state of journalism with this week's news of the impending closing of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

I also am joined by ESPN SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi, who will receiver the Bill Campbell Award at the 121st Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Banquet on January 21, 2026, at the DoubleTree in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Click HERE to learn more about the PSWA banquet and order tickets.

That and more in Episode 61!

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Story mentioned

Big5Hoops.com: Aaron Bracy’s Big 5 Column: What has happened to the once-great Saint Joseph’s program?

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Negandhi Sources:

For my preparation to interview Kevin Negandhi, I referenced several sources, including this article in the Temple News by Isabella DiAmore. I also reviewed two articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer, by Jonathan Tannenwald on Oct. 4, 2016 and John Gonzalez on May 22, 2011.

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Click HERE for Big 5 Schedule/Results.

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You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

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My second book, Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline) is scheduled to be published in April 2027. Follow updates at #2001SixersBook.

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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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, published on December 26, 2025, I recap the situation with Saint Joseph's parting ways with star sophomore Deuce Jones one day after I covered the Hawks' 68-62 home loss to Coastal Carolina. I also discuss Villanova after the Wildcats' win over Seton Hall on Tuesday in their Big East opener and recap the 76ers' 114-106 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

Finally, I am joined by Frankford High School baseball coach Juan Namnun, who will be honored as the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Most Courageous Sportsperson of the Year at the 121st Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Banquet on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the DoubleTree in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Click HERE to learn more about the PSWA banquet and order tickets.

That and more in Episode 60!

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Story mentioned

Big5Hoops.com: Aaron Bracy’s Big 5 Column: What has happened to the once-great Saint Joseph’s program?

--

Click HERE for Big 5 Schedule/Results.

--

You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

My second book, Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline) is scheduled to be published in April 2027. Follow updates at #2001SixersBook.

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, I recap the 76ers' 115-105 win over Indiana on Friday, December 12, 2025, and their 120-117 loss at Atlanta on Sunday, December 14; Villanova's 79-61 win over Pitt on December 13; and Temple's 95-67 win over Saint Francis on December 14.

I also am joined by Penn men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery to talk about his love of Philadelphia basketball and the Big 5; his head coaching journey from Lehigh to UNC Greensboro to Siena to Iowa and back to Penn; and his upcoming honor as the Native Son Award Winner at the 121st Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Banquet on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the DoubleTree in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Click HERE to learn more about the PSWA banquet and order tickets.

That and more in Episode 59!

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Story mentioned

Big5Hoops.com: Aaron Bracy’s Big 5 Column: Duke Brennan and Bryce Lindsay give Villanova a formidable inside-outside duo

Big5Hoops.com: Aaron Bracy’s Big 5 Column: Hard work helping Temple’s Gavin Griffiths finally feeling success

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Click HERE for Big 5 Schedule/Results.

--

You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

My second book, Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline) is scheduled to be published in April 2027. Follow updates at #2001SixersBook.

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, I recap the Big 5 Classic from Saturday, December 6, 2025. Hear from La Salle coach Darris Nichols; Saint Joseph's Deuce Jones and coach Steve Donahue; Jack Scheuer VGH (Very Good Hoops) Award winner Duke Brennan of Villanova; Big 5 Hall of Famers Dionte Christmas of Temple and Saint Joseph's Carlin Warley; and Mel Greenberg MVP Award winner Brynn McCurry, who led Villanova to the Big 5 Women's Classic title on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

Also hear my interview with former Princeton women's lacrosse standout McKenzie Blake, who will be honored by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association (PSWA) at the organization's banquet on January 21, 2026, as the Amateur Athlete of the Year. A native of Haddonfield, N.J., Blake broke an Ivy League scoring record last spring that stood for 44 years with 89 goals. Click HERE to learn more about the PSWA banquet and order tickets.

That and more in Episode 58!

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Story mentioned

Big5Hoops.com: Aaron Bracy’s Big 5 Column: Big 5 Classic again shows why the Big 5 is special. Let’s keep it that way.

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Click HERE for Big 5 Schedule/Results.

--

You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

My second book, Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline) is scheduled to be published in April 2027. Follow updates at #2001SixersBook.

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, I recap the Philadelphia 76ers' 144-103 loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, November 25, including postgame audio from coach Nick Nurse, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain.

I also look back at Penn's wins over Saint Joseph's (November 17) and Drexel (November 21), the latter of which I covered for Big5Hoops.com. Hear from Penn coach Fran McCaffery on the meaning of the victory. I also look ahead to the Big 5 Classic tripleheader on December 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

That and more in Episode 57.

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Story mentioned

Big5Hoops.com: Aaron Bracy’s Big 5 Column: Fran McCaffery has Penn back on track to be Penn again

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Click HERE for Big 5 Schedule/Results.

--

You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

My second book, Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline) is scheduled to be published in April 2027. Follow updates at #2001SixersBook.

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Monday, November 10, 2025, I recap the Philadelphia 76ers' 25-year anniversary theme weekend after covering Saturday's game against Toronto and Sunday's game versus Detroit. Hear #Sixers coach Nick Nurse and guard Tyrese Maxey's responses to my questions on the weekend.

Also, I recap Saturday's Big 5 opening win by Saint Joseph's over Drexel that I covered on Saturday at Hagan Arena. Hawks guard Deuce Jones came off the bench for a career-high 29 points in the 76-65 win. Hear postgame reaction from Jones, St. Joe's coach Steve Donahue, and Drexel coach Zach Spiker.

I also mentioned an announcement coming soon, likely Thursday, November 13, for my book on Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers. #2001SixersBook

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Story mentioned

Big5Hoops.com: Aaron Bracy’s Big 5 Column: Saint Joseph’s coach Steve Donahue generating enthusiasm with his passion for the program

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Click HERE for Big 5 Schedule/Results.

--

You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Monday, November 3, 2025, I recap opening night in the Big 5 with wins by Saint Joseph's and Drexel and an impressive performance by Villanova in a loss to BYU in Las Vegas. Hear from Saint Joseph's coach Steve Donahue and players Jaiden Glover-Toscano and Derek Simpson with the full postgame press conference and Villanova coach Kevin Willard and guard Bryce Lindsay from Las Vegas.

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I also give an update on my book project on Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (#2001SixersBook).

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Story mentioned from Big5Hoops.com: Will the Big 5 break a three-year NCAA tournament drought? (The team with the best chance might surprise you)

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You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Friday, October 31, 2025, I assess the chances of each Big 5 school (Drexel, La Salle, Penn, Temple, Saint Joseph's, Villanova) of making the NCAA tournament and ending a three-year drought in March Madness for the Big 5.

I also play a clip of Allen Iverson talking about load management during his appearance at TLA in South Philly for his book promotion of Misunderstood.

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I also give an update on my book project on Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (#2001SixersBook).

--

Story mentioned from Big5Hoops.com: Will the Big 5 break a three-year NCAA tournament drought? (The team with the best chance might surprise you)

--

You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Thursday, October 2, 2025, I recap Atlantic 10 Media Day from Tuesday, September 30 in Pittsburgh and play the press conferences of Saint Joseph's coach Steve Donahue and La Salle coach Darris Nichols.

I share some takeaways on both press conferences as well as the Atlantic 10 schools' nonconference schedule in 2025-26 and reference my Atlantic 10 Media Day notebook on Big5Hoops.com.

Click HERE to read the story.

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I also give an update on my book project on Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (#2001SixersBook).

--

You can order my first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.

In today's episode, recorded on Friday, September 12, 2025, I play the full recording of the introductory Zoom press conference of new Saint Joseph's coach Steve Donahue. I was not able to participate in the press conference and ask questions, but I did record it.

Athletic director Jill Bodensteiner named Donahue as Billy Lange's successor on Wednesday after a wild day in which it was announced that Lange was leaving as the Hawks' head coach for an assistant coaching position with the New York Knicks.

At the end of the press conference, I share some takeaways.

I also give an update on my book project on Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (#2001SixersBook), and share some other tidbits, including a three-part series coming to Big5Hoops.com Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, September 15-17 on Phil Martelli receiving the Joe Lapchick Character Award.

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You can order my book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, at the below links:

Amazon

Big5Hoops

Brookline

--

-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, #aSoaringSeason, and #2001SixersBook.