Josh Verlin
@jmverlin.bsky.social
Founder/Editor-in-Chief, City of Basketball Love (CoBL). Covering Philly-area high school + college hoops full-time since 2012.
Amateur musician, watcher of too much TV, usually with @auroraverlin.bsky.social
www.cityofbasketballlove.com
Amateur musician, watcher of too much TV, usually with @auroraverlin.bsky.social
www.cityofbasketballlove.com
Pinned
Josh Verlin
@jmverlin.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Created one of those Starter Packs for CoBL writers (and a couple friends): go.bsky.app/7P2A9qw
Going to have a big notebook up from tonight's Big 5 game at the Palestra, but still a little ways until it's ready. Maybe by 1am?
November 18, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Going to have a big notebook up from tonight's Big 5 game at the Palestra, but still a little ways until it's ready. Maybe by 1am?
Big 5 hoops at the Palestra, always a highlight.
Penn (1-2, 0-0 Big 5) hosting Saint Joseph’s (2-1, 1-0).
Dr. John Giannini next to me on press row. What could be better?
Penn (1-2, 0-0 Big 5) hosting Saint Joseph’s (2-1, 1-0).
Dr. John Giannini next to me on press row. What could be better?
November 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Big 5 hoops at the Palestra, always a highlight.
Penn (1-2, 0-0 Big 5) hosting Saint Joseph’s (2-1, 1-0).
Dr. John Giannini next to me on press row. What could be better?
Penn (1-2, 0-0 Big 5) hosting Saint Joseph’s (2-1, 1-0).
Dr. John Giannini next to me on press row. What could be better?
First @d3hoops.bsky.social game of the year… Moravian (1-0) at Immaculata (1-1) MBB. Nice crowd in the building, including a student section.
November 13, 2025 at 10:57 PM
First @d3hoops.bsky.social game of the year… Moravian (1-0) at Immaculata (1-1) MBB. Nice crowd in the building, including a student section.
Reposted by Josh Verlin
Princeton 73
Villanova 68
FINAL
Villanova goes without a field goal across the final 8:33 and cannot hold onto what was a 14-point lead. Wildcats fall to 2-2. Full story coming to @hooplove215.bsky.social in a bit.
Villanova 68
FINAL
Villanova goes without a field goal across the final 8:33 and cannot hold onto what was a 14-point lead. Wildcats fall to 2-2. Full story coming to @hooplove215.bsky.social in a bit.
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Princeton 73
Villanova 68
FINAL
Villanova goes without a field goal across the final 8:33 and cannot hold onto what was a 14-point lead. Wildcats fall to 2-2. Full story coming to @hooplove215.bsky.social in a bit.
Villanova 68
FINAL
Villanova goes without a field goal across the final 8:33 and cannot hold onto what was a 14-point lead. Wildcats fall to 2-2. Full story coming to @hooplove215.bsky.social in a bit.
Big 5 WBB opener: Penn (2-0) at Drexel (2-0).
November 12, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Big 5 WBB opener: Penn (2-0) at Drexel (2-0).
Fact One: The Temple men are only two games into their season.
Fact Two: The Owls have looked *good.*
From the Liacouras Center tonight:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Fact Two: The Owls have looked *good.*
From the Liacouras Center tonight:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Balanced Temple men stomp La Salle in Big 5 rout
By Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
Fact One: The Temple men are only two games into their season.
Fact Two: The Owls have looked good.
www.cityofbasketballlove.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Fact One: The Temple men are only two games into their season.
Fact Two: The Owls have looked *good.*
From the Liacouras Center tonight:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Fact Two: The Owls have looked *good.*
From the Liacouras Center tonight:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Busy night in the Big 5 tonight. Here's a recap of all the action:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Big 5 Roundup: Nov. 11, 2025
By Jeff Griffith
For the first time in nearly two decades, La Salle women’s basketball is 3-0.
The last time that feat took place, junior guard Aryss Macktoon — who excelled for the Explorers wi...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Busy night in the Big 5 tonight. Here's a recap of all the action:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Temple (1-0) vs. La Salle (2-0) in Big 5 play from Liacouras Center.
TU starters: Gavin Griffiths, Derrian Ford, Aiden Tobiason, Jordan Mason, Babatunde Duradola
La Salle starters: Ashton Walker, Jaeden Marshall, Rob Dockery, Josiah Harris, Jerome Brewer Jr.
TU starters: Gavin Griffiths, Derrian Ford, Aiden Tobiason, Jordan Mason, Babatunde Duradola
La Salle starters: Ashton Walker, Jaeden Marshall, Rob Dockery, Josiah Harris, Jerome Brewer Jr.
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Temple (1-0) vs. La Salle (2-0) in Big 5 play from Liacouras Center.
TU starters: Gavin Griffiths, Derrian Ford, Aiden Tobiason, Jordan Mason, Babatunde Duradola
La Salle starters: Ashton Walker, Jaeden Marshall, Rob Dockery, Josiah Harris, Jerome Brewer Jr.
TU starters: Gavin Griffiths, Derrian Ford, Aiden Tobiason, Jordan Mason, Babatunde Duradola
La Salle starters: Ashton Walker, Jaeden Marshall, Rob Dockery, Josiah Harris, Jerome Brewer Jr.
Headed to Broad and Montgomery for the first time in a bit...
Temple hosting La Salle in a men's Big 5 game at 7:00 PM. First in-person look at both teams for me this year. I'll be taking pictures and writing a big notebook for publication later tonight.
Temple hosting La Salle in a men's Big 5 game at 7:00 PM. First in-person look at both teams for me this year. I'll be taking pictures and writing a big notebook for publication later tonight.
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Headed to Broad and Montgomery for the first time in a bit...
Temple hosting La Salle in a men's Big 5 game at 7:00 PM. First in-person look at both teams for me this year. I'll be taking pictures and writing a big notebook for publication later tonight.
Temple hosting La Salle in a men's Big 5 game at 7:00 PM. First in-person look at both teams for me this year. I'll be taking pictures and writing a big notebook for publication later tonight.
Hot take: college basketball doesn't need instant replays. Save them for maybe the last two minutes of a game. So much wasted time, which is a problem the sport already struggles with.
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Hot take: college basketball doesn't need instant replays. Save them for maybe the last two minutes of a game. So much wasted time, which is a problem the sport already struggles with.
Duke Brennan did something tonight for the Villanova men that hadn't been done in a decade in a win over Queens:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Duke Brennan making excellent early impact for Villanova
Finn Courtney (@finncourtney_)
VILLANOVA - Duke Brennan has jumped around a lot, both in high school and college. But if two games are any indication, it’s safe to say Villanova has felt like home ...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Duke Brennan did something tonight for the Villanova men that hadn't been done in a decade in a win over Queens:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
So....anybody watch Pluribus yet?
November 9, 2025 at 3:09 AM
So....anybody watch Pluribus yet?
Reposted by Josh Verlin
Starters for Villanova:
G Bryce Lindsay (1st start after 22 points against BYU Monday)
G Tyler Perkins
G Acaden Lewis
F Matt Hodge
F Duke Brennan
Starters for Queens:
G Nasir Mann
G Kam Clark
G Chris Ashby (ASUN Preseason Player of the Year)
G Yoav Berman
F Avantae Parker
G Bryce Lindsay (1st start after 22 points against BYU Monday)
G Tyler Perkins
G Acaden Lewis
F Matt Hodge
F Duke Brennan
Starters for Queens:
G Nasir Mann
G Kam Clark
G Chris Ashby (ASUN Preseason Player of the Year)
G Yoav Berman
F Avantae Parker
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Starters for Villanova:
G Bryce Lindsay (1st start after 22 points against BYU Monday)
G Tyler Perkins
G Acaden Lewis
F Matt Hodge
F Duke Brennan
Starters for Queens:
G Nasir Mann
G Kam Clark
G Chris Ashby (ASUN Preseason Player of the Year)
G Yoav Berman
F Avantae Parker
G Bryce Lindsay (1st start after 22 points against BYU Monday)
G Tyler Perkins
G Acaden Lewis
F Matt Hodge
F Duke Brennan
Starters for Queens:
G Nasir Mann
G Kam Clark
G Chris Ashby (ASUN Preseason Player of the Year)
G Yoav Berman
F Avantae Parker
On Deuce Jones' big day, Austin Williford's quality start, Drexel's offensive identity and more from the Big 5 MBB opener:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Jones sets career high as St. Joe's tops Drexel in Big 5 MBB opener
By Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
Deuce Jones had a Hawks debut to forget in St. Joe’s season-opening win over Lafayette on Monday. The La Salle transfer and 2024-25 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Jones ...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:06 AM
On Deuce Jones' big day, Austin Williford's quality start, Drexel's offensive identity and more from the Big 5 MBB opener:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Big 5 hoops on a beautiful Saturday afternoon? I’ll take it.
Saint Joseph’s (1-0) hosting Drexel (1-0) in the city series opener. Tip-off at 1pm.
Saint Joseph’s (1-0) hosting Drexel (1-0) in the city series opener. Tip-off at 1pm.
November 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Big 5 hoops on a beautiful Saturday afternoon? I’ll take it.
Saint Joseph’s (1-0) hosting Drexel (1-0) in the city series opener. Tip-off at 1pm.
Saint Joseph’s (1-0) hosting Drexel (1-0) in the city series opener. Tip-off at 1pm.
Was at the Palestra last night to check out the Penn men for the first time; wrote this feature on a couple freshmen who seem ready to make an impact from the jump:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Penn MBB freshmen Scantlebury, Jones making a positive early impact
By Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
Jay Jones committed to Penn men’s basketball near the end of his junior year of high school, in March 2024. Dalton Scantlebury joined the Quakers’ incoming 2025 class tha...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Was at the Palestra last night to check out the Penn men for the first time; wrote this feature on a couple freshmen who seem ready to make an impact from the jump:
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article...
Reposted by Josh Verlin
Temple 39
George Washington 19
Halftime!
A commanding 26-10 2nd quarter for the Owls has put them in the drivers seat after 20 minutes.
Khloe Miller, a redshirt freshman, couldn’t find her first bucket at the collegiate level Monday. Tonight, she’s already 3-3 from the field.
George Washington 19
Halftime!
A commanding 26-10 2nd quarter for the Owls has put them in the drivers seat after 20 minutes.
Khloe Miller, a redshirt freshman, couldn’t find her first bucket at the collegiate level Monday. Tonight, she’s already 3-3 from the field.
November 8, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Temple 39
George Washington 19
Halftime!
A commanding 26-10 2nd quarter for the Owls has put them in the drivers seat after 20 minutes.
Khloe Miller, a redshirt freshman, couldn’t find her first bucket at the collegiate level Monday. Tonight, she’s already 3-3 from the field.
George Washington 19
Halftime!
A commanding 26-10 2nd quarter for the Owls has put them in the drivers seat after 20 minutes.
Khloe Miller, a redshirt freshman, couldn’t find her first bucket at the collegiate level Monday. Tonight, she’s already 3-3 from the field.
Reposted by Josh Verlin
Temple 13
George Washington 9
End Q1
Sophomore guard Brianna Mead knocks down 3 free throws to extend Temple’s lead at the end of the 1st.
It’s been a ferocious effort on the glass for the Owls, outrebounding GW 15-9 with Jaleesa Molina leading the way with four boards and two points.
George Washington 9
End Q1
Sophomore guard Brianna Mead knocks down 3 free throws to extend Temple’s lead at the end of the 1st.
It’s been a ferocious effort on the glass for the Owls, outrebounding GW 15-9 with Jaleesa Molina leading the way with four boards and two points.
November 8, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Temple 13
George Washington 9
End Q1
Sophomore guard Brianna Mead knocks down 3 free throws to extend Temple’s lead at the end of the 1st.
It’s been a ferocious effort on the glass for the Owls, outrebounding GW 15-9 with Jaleesa Molina leading the way with four boards and two points.
George Washington 9
End Q1
Sophomore guard Brianna Mead knocks down 3 free throws to extend Temple’s lead at the end of the 1st.
It’s been a ferocious effort on the glass for the Owls, outrebounding GW 15-9 with Jaleesa Molina leading the way with four boards and two points.
First look at the Penn men tonight as they take on D-III Rowan (N.J.) in their season opener.
Penn starters: AJ Levine, Michael Zanoni, TJ Power, Ethan Roberts, Augustus Gerhart
Rowan starters: Taz Cantey, Brycen Williams, Nafi Muhammad, Dan Mason, Ife Okebiorun
Penn starters: AJ Levine, Michael Zanoni, TJ Power, Ethan Roberts, Augustus Gerhart
Rowan starters: Taz Cantey, Brycen Williams, Nafi Muhammad, Dan Mason, Ife Okebiorun
November 7, 2025 at 11:53 PM
First look at the Penn men tonight as they take on D-III Rowan (N.J.) in their season opener.
Penn starters: AJ Levine, Michael Zanoni, TJ Power, Ethan Roberts, Augustus Gerhart
Rowan starters: Taz Cantey, Brycen Williams, Nafi Muhammad, Dan Mason, Ife Okebiorun
Penn starters: AJ Levine, Michael Zanoni, TJ Power, Ethan Roberts, Augustus Gerhart
Rowan starters: Taz Cantey, Brycen Williams, Nafi Muhammad, Dan Mason, Ife Okebiorun
At the Palestra this afternoon/evening for a Penn women's + men's doubleheader, both against D-III opponents. Here to grab a couple feature stories and show one of the CoBL interns the ropes of college coverage.
Women are up 28-10 on King's College (Pa.) early in the second quarter.
Women are up 28-10 on King's College (Pa.) early in the second quarter.
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
At the Palestra this afternoon/evening for a Penn women's + men's doubleheader, both against D-III opponents. Here to grab a couple feature stories and show one of the CoBL interns the ropes of college coverage.
Women are up 28-10 on King's College (Pa.) early in the second quarter.
Women are up 28-10 on King's College (Pa.) early in the second quarter.
Reposted by Josh Verlin
Harvard head coach Carrie Moore had high praise for first-years Olivia Jones and Aubrey Shaw today, ahead of the season opener on Friday vs. St. John's.
"I think those two have a great chance to compete for an Ivy League Rookie of the Year," she told reporters. @theixbasketball.bsky.social #NCAAWBB
"I think those two have a great chance to compete for an Ivy League Rookie of the Year," she told reporters. @theixbasketball.bsky.social #NCAAWBB
November 6, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Harvard head coach Carrie Moore had high praise for first-years Olivia Jones and Aubrey Shaw today, ahead of the season opener on Friday vs. St. John's.
"I think those two have a great chance to compete for an Ivy League Rookie of the Year," she told reporters. @theixbasketball.bsky.social #NCAAWBB
"I think those two have a great chance to compete for an Ivy League Rookie of the Year," she told reporters. @theixbasketball.bsky.social #NCAAWBB
Tonight’s coverage: Villanova vs. Fairfield (WBB) at the Pavilion. Stags up 9-1 early after a trio of triples. Nova timeout, 6:30 1Q.
November 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Tonight’s coverage: Villanova vs. Fairfield (WBB) at the Pavilion. Stags up 9-1 early after a trio of triples. Nova timeout, 6:30 1Q.
Huge WBB result from the western side of the state:
Drexel 68, Pitt 60
Laine McGurk with a career-best 33 points on 13/19 shooting (5/7 3PT). Monster game from the Rustin alum and DU junior.
Drexel 68, Pitt 60
Laine McGurk with a career-best 33 points on 13/19 shooting (5/7 3PT). Monster game from the Rustin alum and DU junior.
November 5, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Huge WBB result from the western side of the state:
Drexel 68, Pitt 60
Laine McGurk with a career-best 33 points on 13/19 shooting (5/7 3PT). Monster game from the Rustin alum and DU junior.
Drexel 68, Pitt 60
Laine McGurk with a career-best 33 points on 13/19 shooting (5/7 3PT). Monster game from the Rustin alum and DU junior.
Back at Hagan Arena for the @sjuhawks-wbb.bsky.social season opener against D-II West Chester. Tip-off at 7pm.
November 4, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Back at Hagan Arena for the @sjuhawks-wbb.bsky.social season opener against D-II West Chester. Tip-off at 7pm.
Great to see a bunch of new followers on here the last 24-48 hours.
As an intro, I've been covering the Philadelphia area's high school + college scene since 2011-12. You'll get a bunch of college coverage this month and then I'll switch into mostly high school come Nov. 28.
As an intro, I've been covering the Philadelphia area's high school + college scene since 2011-12. You'll get a bunch of college coverage this month and then I'll switch into mostly high school come Nov. 28.
November 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Great to see a bunch of new followers on here the last 24-48 hours.
As an intro, I've been covering the Philadelphia area's high school + college scene since 2011-12. You'll get a bunch of college coverage this month and then I'll switch into mostly high school come Nov. 28.
As an intro, I've been covering the Philadelphia area's high school + college scene since 2011-12. You'll get a bunch of college coverage this month and then I'll switch into mostly high school come Nov. 28.