🏒 Making moves? | Sports Daily Newsletter

If this year is anything like the previous two, expect the Flyers to make some noise ahead of Friday’s 3 p.m. deadline.

General manager Danny Brière has a history of making trades in the hours leading up to the deadline, and this year could be a similar case, with players such as Rasmus Ristolainen rumored to be on the move.

Jackie Spiegel takes a look back at the last two years and what Brière did in the week leading up to the previous trade deadlines.

But let’s evaluate where this team currently stands. Entering Thursday’s game against Utah, Rick Tocchet’s club was on a sudden upswing and just six points out of a playoff spot with 22 games to play.

Their playoff odds was 11%, but dropped to 7.7% after a 3-0 shut out loss to the Mammoth. So, how are Brière and Keith Jones approaching the deadline? Are they still taking the long-view approach to rebuilding or has patience worn thin?

While the Flyers are desperate to reach the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, they should avoid the temptation and sell off, writes Gustav Elvin.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓What moves would you like to see the Flyers make ahead of the deadline? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Free agency roundtable

The 2026 NFL free agency period begins on Monday when “legal tampering” negotiation window opens. The Eagles are not expected to be among the NFL’s most active teams — but big things could happen nonetheless.

The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, and Jeff Neiburg got together for a roundtable ahead of next week’s festivities and weighed in on some of the realistic targets and moves we could see the Birds make.

What we’re …

🔍 Following: A woman hit in the face by a foul ball at Little League Classic field is suing MLB, Williamsport, and the Crosscutters for carelessness and recklessness.

🤔 Wondering: Twenty-four Iowa State players transferred to Penn State. Why did so many follow coach Matt Campbell to Happy Valley?

🎉 Celebrating: After more than six months of searching, The Stoop Pigeon, a women’s sports hub and cafe, has a new location with plans to open in June.

📰 Reading: TJ Power never found a home on the court at Duke and Virginia. At Penn, he’s tougher, more mature, and has rekindled his love for the game.

Crawford gets helping hand

The Phillies have done their best to make 22-year-old center fielder Justin Crawford feel comfortable. It started with manager Rob Thomson calling him this winter to encourage Crawford to “be himself” and to get ready to compete for a starting job. And it has continued during spring training with 28-year-old left fielder Brandon Marsh, who has tried to pay it forward by offering advice, friendship, and springing for a custom made black suit so the rookie can “look good” for a playoff run this fall.

Jesús Luzardo said “maybe a little bit of adrenaline” contributed to an uptick in his velocity, but he was pleased with his first spring start.

Next: The Phillies will play a split-squad game against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla., at 1:05 p.m. Friday. Jean Cabrera will start for the Phillies.

Breaking down final 20 games

Jabari Walker was one of the 76ers’ lone standouts in their 40-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The next night he starred again in the Sixers’ win over the Utah Jazz. They’ll need those types of performances down the stretch of the final 20 games of the season. The Inquirer’s Gina Mizell took a look at that stretch, focusing on Paul George’s return, Joel Embiid’s injury management, and playoff positioning.

Overwhelmed by the moment

With no midweek game this week, Bradley Carnell had time to reflect on the Union’s loss to New York City FC on Sunday. He suggested that “sometimes the moment gets to us a little bit.”

His club is off to a 0-2 start in Major League Soccer. Carnell is looking address that and make adjustments, starting at the attacking end of the field.

Sports snapshot

• The Big Dance: Villanova’s teams are going to the NCAA Tournament. Will they have any company from the Big 5?
• Moving on: St. Joe’s women leaned on its defense and three-point shooting to advance to the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals.
• Blowout win: Villanova’s 76-57 win over DePaul was their eighth conference road win, the program’s most since 2016.
• Getting praise: Three Villanova women’s basketball players earned Big East honors, including a most improved player of the year award.

The Big Picture

Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best Philly sports images from the last seven days. As the calendar flips to March, we’ve got nearly every sport covered, with the exception of football — but don’t worry, NFL free agency starts next week. From the Sixers and Flyers getting physical in Philly to the Phillies heating up in Clearwater, here’s a look at our best shots of the week.

What you’re saying about the Big 5

We asked: Do you have a Big 5 hoops memory? Among your responses:

The La Salle University Explorers were NCAA national champions in 1954, with Tom Gola being named the MVP. I was in 9th grade back in the days and basketball was the “In Sport” in Philly. The entire sporting world knew about Overbrook High School with Wilt and this small LaSalle College now a University at Broad & Olney. Waiting for the Evening Bulletin & Daily News newspapers to be delivered was always exciting so we could read the stories. Guess I’m one of the lucky ones that at 86 my memory immediately flashed back to Tom Gola & Wilt. — Ronald R.

I am a Temple University graduate. I remember going to lots of “big 5” games at the palestra. It was an outstanding venue. Win/loss records did not matter for big 5 games. They were always hard fought. One game stands out because my future wife and I were photographed and appeared in the Inquirer sports page. — Richard P.

It’s always the streamers, the rolls of toilet paper thrown after first basket score and the drums. We’re talking the 1960’s. Villanova – St Joe’s always the best. — Charlene C.

Grew up loving the Big 5 and going almost every Sat night in the late 60’s. I say the Palestra had charisma! Best memory was in 1969 (?) when LaSalle played Villanova in game 2 and Penn v Columbia in game 1. The nightcap featured Ken Durrett (L) vs Howard Porter (V) but LaSalle also had future NBA /ABA players Larry Cannon (my Lincoln HS), Roland Taylor and Bernie Williams. Columbia had Jim McMillan who played for the Lakers. Amazing talent in the building that night. LaSalle was ranked #2 in the polls, but couldn’t go to the NCAA’s because of probation. The crowd noise, streamers, rollout banners are still great memories. Now I suffer in a basketball coma in State College with Penn State. — Gary P.

Saturday afternoon doubleheaders at the Palestra. The first game would be a Big 5 match and second game involved another Big 5 team. Good times. Really miss the streamers. — Brad L.

My favorite Big 5 memories are many Villanova/St. Joe’s games. This has always been a special rivalry resulting in memorable games. Unfortunately, these games have lost something in intensity and just overall atmosphere since they have moved from the Palestra. — Tom E.

Used to love the Palestra. Penn would win the first game, then the Big 5 game would go. Got in on a St Joe’s ID for years. All games were competitive. Seems to me Rollie Massimino screwed it up, because the other Big 5 teams were as good as Villanova and he was such a big baby he didn’t want to lose to any of them. — Bill M.

Mike Sielski’s story about the decline of the Big 5 was very interesting and the reasons very logical. When growing up in the Philly area I was always a big fan of the Big 5 teams, but rarely ever saw them in person. I was much more interested in going to see the Philadelphia Warriors first and later the 76ers. Of course many of the Philly pros came from the Big 5 including Arizin, Gola, Wali Jones, Guy Rodgers, Melchonni, Goukas, Mike Bantum and more. — Everett S.

Loved the Palestra doubleheaders along with the creative signs that were rolled open, passes down the student section and shredded by the first few rows. The best times were when Penn made the Final 4, Temple made it to several elite 8s and St Joe’s was #1 for part of a season. — Bob C.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jackie Spiegel, Gustav Elvin, Olivia Reiner, Jeff McLane, Jeff Neiburg, Jonathan Tannenwald, Ariel Simpson, Sean McKeown, Greg Finberg, Owen Hewitt, Dylan Johnson, Alex Coffey, Colin Schofield, Inquirer Staff Photograpers, and Gina Mizell.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

As always, thanks for reading. Have a wonderful weekend, we’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella