Stories

By AARON BRACY January 7, 2024 Big5Hoops.com PHILADELPHIA – Phil Martelli was back on the sideline, back leading a team at the Palestra, and feeling right at home. In his city. In his element. In his gym. Martelli, the longtime Saint Joseph’s coach now working as Juwan Howard’s top assistant at Michigan, was tabbed by Howard on Sunday morning to take the … [Read more...] about No place like home for Martelli in Palestra return

By AARON BRACY January 6, 2024 Big5Hoops.com VILLANOVA, Pa. – Sometimes, the answers are simple. There are statistics. Explanations. Analysis. More statistics. More explanations. More analysis. Sometimes, though, it’s simple. You don’t need any of that stuff. Your eyes tell you everything you need to know: One team is just better than the other. That … [Read more...] about St. John’s, quite simply, better than Villanova Saturday

By AARON BRACY January 3, 2024 Big5Hoops.com VILLANOVA, Pa. -- No one is going to hang this Villanova performance in a museum. Then again, the Big East is usually more muscle than Matisse, anyway. The Wildcats’ 66-65 win over Xavier on Wednesday night might not have been a masterpiece, but there sure was a lot to like. Let’s start with the … [Read more...] about A lot to like in Villanova’s win over Xavier

By AARON BRACY December 30, 2023 Big5Hoops.com PHILADELPHIA – There is the big picture and the small picture for La Salle after Saturday’s 71-66 loss to Howard at Gola Arena. First, let’s zoom in to the defeat.  A pair of more than four-minute stretches without a basket after halftime ultimately doomed the Explorers. They fell behind by nine, battled back. … [Read more...] about Big picture remains optimistic for La Salle after loss

By AARON BRACY December 29, 2003 Big5Hoops.com Philadelphia has two NBA offenses in town, and one resides at 54th and City Avenue. With players that now can play his system, fifth-year coach Billy Lange has the Saint Joseph’s Hawks passing and shooting like the Philadelphia 76ers. No lie. Lange knows how to do it. Knows what great offense looks like. He sat … [Read more...] about St. Joe’s runs past Loyola with NBA offense