In just over a week, Villanova men's basketball will open its 2026-27 season in Rome and in the shadow of Pope Leo against Notre Dame.
The Wildcats will do so entering their final season as a member of the Big 5, the association that comprises the six Division I college basketball programs in Philadelphia.
It was announced Thursday that Villanova will leave the Big 5 beginning with the 2027-28 season, marking the latest blow to one of the great traditions in college athletics as a result of the rapidly evolving landscape of college sports.
Drexel, La Salle, Penn, Saint Joseph's and Temple
will remain in the Big 5. The Dragons were added to the Big 5 in 2023, making it a six-team membership and a round-robin format that ended with a Big 5 Classic tripleheader that crowned a champion.
"These institutions are united in their commitment to preserving the history and enhancing the future of the Philadelphia Big 5. The round-robin format represents a renewal of the competitive spirit that has defined the city's college basketball landscape for more than 70 years, while also preserving the future of a partnership that is distinctively Philadelphia," the five remaining schools said in a joint statement.
"With five Division I programs located within a 10-mile radius, the schools remain uniquely positioned in collegiate basketball. The resumption of a consistent round-robin format, featuring both home and away contests, will sustain traditional rivalries while providing valuable scheduling stability in an increasingly complex Division I environment."
It's a notable move by Villanova, whose campus is located outside of the Philadelphia radius but have been part of the area's college basketball history for decades, including Rollie Massimino's squad defeating Georgetown in the 1985 national title game and then Jay Wright turning it back into a national powerhouse, highlighted by two championships in three years from 2016 to 2018.
Jeff Neiburg of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Villanova was not interested in keeping the current format of the Big 5 Classic as the "status quo." Neiburg, citing sources, noted the Wildcats were looking for a format that would "guarantee the Wildcats would not have to play another Big 5 road game," but that format was not agreed on by all six schools.
The current format of the Big 5 is one home game and one road game for each team before the tripleheader at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the home of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, in December. The Wildcats claimed their 30th Big 5 championship — and first in the new format — last season with a 90-63 win against Penn. It marked the first title under Kevin Willard as well, who has brought the program back to national prominence after a few down seasons with Kyle Neptune, the successor to Wright.
Founded in 1954 and coined by Philadelphia Inquirer sportswriter Herb Good, the Big 5 is entering its 72nd season of competing. The 2026 Big 5 Classic is set for Saturday, Dec. 5 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Villanova, which waspicked to finish third in the Big East, is coming off a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament to Utah State. The Wildcats received 14 votes in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and has two top-25 teams — No. 20 Michigan and No. 18 Kansas — on their non-conference schedule.
College basketball reacts to Villanova basketball's Big 5 exit
Given the news of Villanova's exit from the Big 5, reactions were not favorable to the Wildcats' decision. Here's a snippet of those:
Weak, cowardly stuff from Villanova.
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) October 22, 2026
Would be nice if anyone in college sports right now thought about something other than covering their own ass. https://t.co/jWcjSy4w6k
Villanova leaving the Big 5 flat out stinks. Shunning that tradition, to me, is a bad thing for basketball.
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) October 22, 2026
If Villanova does actually schedule stronger non-conf games moving forward, that's the era we're in now, sadly. They just have to follow through on it
VILLANOVA IS NOT A PHILLY SCHOOL https://t.co/iceA4bxAwO
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) October 22, 2026
I get that the Big 5 is tricky to keep alive. I get that schools need $$ more than ever. I also hate that absolutely nothing matters anymore - not tradition, not fan interest, not commitment to peers, not the greater good - except making money.
— Dana O'Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) October 22, 2026
I love The Big 5, but it died a long time ago. I can't blame #Villanova for doing what's best for its program in this era of college sports. https://t.co/3JbizCQ1MW
— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) October 22, 2026
You can’t hate Villanova enough, by the way. https://t.co/hRHdPR2Vqm
— Pat Dallahan (@allbusinesspat) October 22, 2026
Villanova backing out of the Big 5? Not a good look at all.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 22, 2026
Basketball in Philly has a distinct culture and network of people that spans so many generations. Nova's Big 5 ties carry meaning and significance and that shouldn't be tossed out.
Hopefully this flips back ASAP. https://t.co/EUmCiHBlPP
Kevin Willard should be ashamed of himself for this. No getting around that. https://t.co/C1cbjaDb5a
— Jaden Daly (@DalyDoseOfHoops) October 22, 2026
Villanova should be embarrassed by this. Just soft from Kevin Willard and all involved with this decision.
— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) October 22, 2026
Breaking up with years of tradition and some really good local hoops for what? https://t.co/cu0GOjlNJ5
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Villanova is leaving the Big 5, dealing another blow to a college basketball tradition
