Aaron Bracy

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com March 16, 2025 The Amtrak train from 30th Street Station that left at 4:20 a.m. on Sunday, departing for Union Station in Washington, D.C., had one less occupant. After returning home early in the wee hours of Saturday morning following Saint Joseph’s Atlantic 10 tournament quarterfinal win over Dayton on Friday night, I planned to … [Read more...] about Saturday Recap: Neptune out at Villanova, and Big 5 out of NCAA tournament

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com March 15, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a thrilling, 73-68 quarterfinal victory in overtime over Dayton that probably left Hawks fans with fewer fingernails than when Thursday evening started, Erik Reynolds II, Justice Ajogbor, and coach Billy Lange walked up to a high podium in a back room where postgame interviews happen here at … [Read more...] about What can Brown do for you? Saint Joseph’s Xzayvier can deliver in the clutch

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com March 14, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Game over. There is a finality to those words that grabs you. People of my generation will remember the heartbreaking feeling of being in the arcade at the mall and seeing those words flashing on the screen, hurt by the ending of Space Invaders or Donkey Kong, hurt more by having to reach deep into … [Read more...] about La Salle, Temple, and Villanova feel the pain of ‘Game Over’

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com March 9, 2025 PHILADELPHIA – Mr. Big 5 listened respectfully, as always, to the question about his future plans. Fran Dunphy’s thoughts quickly raced to his deceased brother, bringing forming tears to his reddening eyes. His voice, now choked up, explained, surprisingly, that in retirement he would like to go see Swan Lake. And … [Read more...] about In his final regular-season game, Fran Dunphy leads La Salle to upset victory over Saint Joseph’s

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com March 6, 2025 PHILADELPHIA – Erik Reynolds II landed softly on the toes of both feet and held his right hand high in the air, his right wrist bent downward, his left arm locked tight against the left side of his body, his eyes confident, widely and intently staring forward at the orange cylinder in the distance. He was a little … [Read more...] about On a historic night at Saint Joseph’s, Jameer Nelson passes the torch for Erik Reynolds II’s record-breaking shot