Villanova to depart Big 5 men’s basketball after 2026-27 season

Villanova University will exit the Big 5 men’s basketball arrangement following the 2026-27 season. While the remaining five programs—Saint Joseph’s, Drexel, Temple, La Salle, and the University of Pennsylvania—have agreed to continue the current format, Villanova will not participate in the 2027-28 season.

Disagreements regarding a new scheduling format prevented a unanimous agreement. Villanova reportedly proposed a model where the program with the highest previous year NET ranking would be exempt from playing a Big 5 road game. Because Villanova has consistently led the group in NET rankings, this change would have significantly altered its travel schedule.

Villanova stated that while it respects the tradition of the Big 5, it must balance the interests of its basketball program within the modern landscape of college athletics. Head coach Kevin Willard noted that the university had been close to a deal but could not reach unanimity on a new format.