rutlandherald
The Big 5, a cherished Philadelphia college basketball tradition, is set to undergo a major transformation. Villanova will exit the series following the 2026-27 season, and the remaining five schools will adopt a round-robin format beginning next season. The Big 5 Classic tripleheader will also conclude after this season's Dec. 5 event at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the home of the 76ers.
Founding members Penn, La Salle, Temple, and Saint Joseph's will stay in the series, along with Drexel, which joined before the 2023 season to make it a six-team affair. In a joint statement, the five remaining schools emphasized that the return to a consistent round-robin schedule with both home and away games will preserve traditional rivalries and offer scheduling stability in the increasingly complex Division I landscape.
The Big 5, named by Philadelphia Inquirer sports writer Herb Good, was officially established in 1954, and round-robin play for City Series bragging rights began in 1955. The first game took place 68 years ago when Saint Joseph's defeated Villanova 83-70 on Dec. 14, 1955, before 2,636 fans at the Palestra.
In recent years, the shifting NCAA environment has led institutions to reassess how their athletic programs fit with broader institutional goals. The joint statement read: "Following thoughtful discussions and consideration of the interests and goals of all involved, the decision was made to move forward with the Men's Philadelphia Big 5 championship format without Villanova's participation."
Villanova coach Kevin Willard, speaking to reporters Thursday night after an exhibition game against Virginia, expressed his continued support for the Big 5. "It really wasn't a Villanova decision," Willard said. "We wanted it. From a month ago, we thought we had a deal. I think you need to talk to the Temple AD (Arthur Johnson). This was not a Villanova thing. Villanova wants to be in the Big 5. They are the Big 5."
Key Analysis
Villanova's departure marks the end of an era for the Big 5, a series that has defined Philadelphia college basketball for decades. While the remaining schools aim to maintain the tradition with a round-robin format, the loss of a perennial powerhouse like Villanova raises questions about the series' future prominence. The move reflects the broader pressures of modern college athletics, where scheduling and institutional priorities increasingly shape traditional rivalries.
Originally reported by rutlandherald.