Nicole Caldwell ’25: I’m super, super, super excited for [the men’s game], and I’m very hopeful that we will win. Our [women’s] team is really strong this year. They were super strong last year, and I think this year, they’re even stronger than they were. Despite losing to Villanova, I think they’ve had a good start to their season and that they’re going to beat Drexel.

Tess Collins ’25: I’m very excited about the Big 5 matchup. The men coming off the win last year, I think any team should be nervous to play us, a little intimidated, because we are those defending champs. They’re pretty evenly matched, and I’m very excited to see, especially our women coming off [a loss]. I think they’re going to be more fired up going into the Big 5 matchup.

Nate Cannizzo ’25: For the men, I think we’re gonna be playing La Salle at least three times this year, which is exciting. Last year, we played Temple in one, but it’s exciting to be in the championship and be able to play La Salle this many times. Hopefully we could sweep them this year. For the women’s, playing Drexel is also great because that’s a great rivalry. 

Who do you think will win?

Shannon O’Malley ’27: I think St. Joe’s is going to win both games. The men won last year, and they had that momentum going into it. The women have been playing really well as a cohesive unit, and they have a lot of key spirit that’s going to carry them through.

Duke Hodlofski ’27: I think we got it. It’ll be a lot closer than people think. I’ve talked to a few people, a few of my friends on campus. They think it’s going to be a blowout. I don’t see it being like that, but I think we’ll win a close game. [For the women], I think St. Joe’s will win. When it comes to the whole Big 5 championship [for the men’s team], I think Villanova’s got it.

John Henry Walters ’25: St. Joe’s will win because we have more experience playing the championship game, like last year, and I think we have a better team than La Salle, and I’m excited to see us play in Wells Fargo again. That was cool last year. I haven’t seen Drexel women play. It’s a new matchup, and it’ll be, hopefully, a good game, and I think we’re gonna win in the end. It should be good.

Final score predictions?

Shannon O’Malley ’27: I think the men will win 84-80. I think the women will win 76-64.

Nicole Caldwell ’25: I think it’s gonna be a closer game: St. Joe’s 78-71 [men’s game]. St. Joe’s 72-63 [women’s game].

Duke Hodlofski ’27: St. Joe’s 78-71 [men’s game]. St. Joe’s 81-68 [women’s game].

Tess Collins ’25: The women’s game: St. Joe’s 58-51. The men’s side: St. Joe’s 72-65.

John Henry Walters ’25: St. Joe’s 89-72 [men’s game] St. Joe’s 78-52 [women’s game].

Nate Cannizzo ’25: For the men, St. Joe’s 85-63. For the women, I think it’ll be a closer game: St. Joe’s 75-65.