Aaron Bracy

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com November 16, 2024 PHILADELPHIA – It was the kind of play, with instincts and athleticism, generally reserved for power conference players. Derek Simpson was one of those recently. On Friday night, he showed off the high-major talent that made him coveted in the Big Ten by Rutgers, where Simpson spent the last two seasons before … [Read more...] about Bracy Column: Derek Simpson’s incredible dunk was just one play but told so much about his game and promise of Saint Joseph’s season

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com November 15, 2024 As a highly respected voice in Philadelphia sports for more than 50 years, Dan Baker was one of the first people I thought about when considering whom to ask to review A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003–04 Saint Joseph’s Hawks. The book is being published by Brookline Books and slated to … [Read more...] about Dan Baker’s book review of A Soaring Season: “Masterfully detailed. You can’t put it down once you pick it up.”

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com November 10, 2024 The opening week of the Big 5 was full of surprises, both good and not so good. Starting with the good, Drexel, La Salle, Penn, and Temple all started 2-0 while Saint Joseph’s (1-1) and Villanova (2-1) each suffered damaging home defeats to Central Connecticut and Columbia, respectively. Let’s take a look back at … [Read more...] about Big 5 Weekly Roundup, November 4–9: Temple’s Jamal Mashburn Jr. tops Five Big 5 Stars after scintillating start

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com November 9, 2024 PHILADELPHIA – The 2024-25 college basketball season is not even a week old, and Villanova and Saint Joseph’s already have uphill climbs to make it back to the NCAA tournament. Especially the Hawks. On paper, St. Joe’s and Villanova are the two leading candidates to end the Big 5’s two-year NCAA tournament drought. … [Read more...] about Bracy Column: Villanova and (especially) Saint Joseph’s face uphill climbs back to the NCAA tournament after damaging home defeats

By AARON BRACY aaron@big5hoops.com November 4, 2024 PHILADELPHIA – The parking lot is the same. The outside of the building looks similar. The steps are familiar. Once you reach the top of your ascent up them, though, you’re struck with the following feeling: “Where, exactly, am I?” And that is great. Just great. First and foremost, for La Salle and its fans. The … [Read more...] about A fresh start for La Salle: Explorers open just-right Glaser Arena with a victory over American