After a thrilling and successful inaugural year, the Big 5 Classic is returning for a second annual tournament with more exciting hoops and more fanfare than ever.
This year’s lineup sees St. Joe’s return to the championship with an opportunity to defend their title after defeating Temple by a final score of 75-64 last year. Standing in their way is legendary head coach Fran Dunphy and La Salle. Dunphy, the all-time winningest coach in Philadelphia Big 5 history, leads a La Salle team that has already defeated Drexel and Temple this season. Now St. Joe’s is all that stands in their way to their first-ever Big 5 Classic win.
The action is set to begin Saturday, Dec. 7, with a 2 p.m. matchup between The University of Penn and Drexel, followed by a 4:30 p.m. game between Villanova and Temple, before the fun finale.
New this season to the excitement is an expansion on the fan experience. Fans in attendance can partake in a photo op station a Big 5 Banner located near the 11th St. entrance, and listen along as team prep bands will also participate in “Battle of the Bands” performances throughout the day.
Perhaps more exciting than anything not taking place on the court with be the “tailgate zone” that will be set up, featuring yard games and smaller table games, including UNO, cornhole, Jenga, ladder ball, tic tac toe, and more. Face painting will also be available, leading to another perfect photo opportunity, with balloon arches just for the occasion to help round out the fan experience.
“One group that we really focused in on was students and kids,” Said Mike Sulkes, Director of the Toyota Men’s Big 5 Classic. “There’s going to be a lot of different activities, whether it’s pop-a-shot or face painting. Stuff for them to do throughout the day, other than the actual basketball game. The game itself is one thing that’s for all, but you need everything else to truly make it an experience.
To help improve the functionality of the day for fans in attendance, each fan will be given a wrist band and have the option to renter the building if they choose to leave and return.
Doors will open to fans at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. For additional information, visit wellsfargocenterphilly.com
