Rivalries and college basketball go together like Natty’s and frat parties. There is no denying that any rivalry game, no matter how big or small the teams are, always brings out the best competition. The simple hatred that some teams have for each other just fuel the excitement surrounding these games. Some games (like #1 on the list) get much more national attention than a game like Penn vs Princeton, but the competitive fire between rivals is found at every level. There are many ways to rank rivalries: longest/closest series, best individual games, clashing fans, best programs, etc. But there is no way to perfectly capture the magnitude behind some of these games. Well, I am going to try anyway. Here is the top 5 list for the best rivalries in college basketball history. Lets get into it:
Honorable Mentions:
Iowa vs. Iowa State: 26-22 Iowa
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: 83-64 Oklahoma
Michigan vs. Michigan State: 63-59 Michigan State
Syracuse vs. Georgetown: 43-40 Syracuse
Wisconsin vs. Marquette: 41-37 Marquette
Number 5: Cincinnati vs. Xavier
Thoughts: In terms of pure hatred between fanbases and teams, this rivalry may be second to none. With the campuses being a mere 3 miles away in the same city, there isn’t a lot of room between the teams and it blows up come Shootout time (literally).
All-time record: 49-34 Cincinnati
Current streak: Xavier (3)
Top Players:
- Cincinnati: Oscar Robertson (1957-1960)
- 33.8 ppg, 15.2 rpg, 7.2 apg, 3-time All American, 3-time Player of the Year
- Xavier: David West (1999-2003)
- 16.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2-time All American, 1-time Player of the Year
Top Coaches:
- Cincinnati: Bob Huggins (398-128)
- 10 conference championships, 14 tournament appearances, 1 Sweet Sixteen, 2 Elite eight, 1 Final Four
- Xavier: Pete Gillen (202-75)
- 6 conference championships, 7 tournament appearances, 1 Sweet Sixteen
Historical Success:
- Cincinnati: 23 conference championships, 30 tournament appearances, 6 Final Fours, 2 National Championships
- Xavier: 17 conference championships, 26 tournament appearances
Number 4: UCLA vs. Arizona
Thoughts: This rivalry is mostly based on the fact that it is two teams who are almost always fighting each other for the conference title. The games ended up being so important in the race for the Pac-12 that it became a full blown rivalry. And quite the rivalry it has become.
All-time record: 55-41 UCLA
Current streak: Arizona (2)
Top Players:
- UCLA: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1966-1969)
- 26.4 ppg, 15.5 rpg, 3-time All American, 3-time Player of the Year
- Arizona: Sean Elliot (1985-1989)
- 19.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2-time All American, 1-time Player of the Year
Top Coaches:
- UCLA: John Wooden (620-147)
- 16 conference championships, 16 tournament appearances, 12 Final Fours, 10 National Championships
- Arizona: Lute Olsen (587-190)
- 11 conference championships, 23 tournament appearances, 4 Final Fours, 1 National Championship
Historical Success:
- UCLA: 31 conference championships, 47 tournament appearances, 18 Final Fours, 11 National Championships
- Arizona: 24 conference championships, 33 tournament appearances, 4 Final Fours, 1 National Championship
Number 3: Indiana vs. Purdue
Thoughts: When my mother (who went to Indiana) goes around saying PurDon’t whenever their university is brought up, you know it is a good rivalry. The history behind the two teams is there, and the bragging rights for Indiana are as well.
All-time record: 115-89 Purdue
Current streak: Indiana (1)
Top Players:
- Indiana: Isiah Thomas (1979-1981)
- 15.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1-time All American
- Purdue: Glenn Robinson (1992-1994)
- 27.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2-time All American, 1-time Player of the Year
Top Coaches:
- Indiana: Bob Knight (659-242)
- 11 conference championships, 24 tournament appearances, 5 Final Fours, 3 National Championships
- Purdue: Gene Keady (512-270)
- 6 conference championships, 17 tournament appearances, 3 Sweet Sixteens, 2 Elite Eights
Historical Success:
- Indiana: 22 conference championships, 20 tournament appearances, 6 Final Fours, 5 National Championships
- Purdue: 22 conference championships, 28 tournament appearances, 2 Final Fours
Number 2: Louisville vs. Kentucky
Thoughts: This is the perfect mix for a rivalry: two of the best college basketball programs in history combined with two teams vying for state bragging rights. Both teams are always near the top nationally making sure this game is always in the spotlight.
All-time record: 34-16 Kentucky
Current streak: Louisville (1)
Top Players:
- Louisville: Darrell Griffith (1976-1980)
- 18.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1-time All American, 1-time Player of the Year
- Kentucky: Dan Issel (1967-1970)
- 25.8 ppg, 13 rpg, 2-time All American
Top Coaches:
- Louisville: Denny Crum (675-295)
- 15 conference championships, 23 tournament appearances, 6 Final Fours, 2 National Championships
- Kentucky: Adolph Rupp (876-190)
- 28 conference championships, 20 tournament appearances, 6 Final Fours, 4 National Championships
Historical Success:
- Louisville: 23 conference championships, 41 tournament appearances, 10 Final Fours, 3 National Championships
- Kentucky: 54 conference championships, 56 tournament appearances, 17 Final Fours, 8 National Championships
Number 1: Duke vs. North Carolina
Thoughts: Come on, did you think anyone else would be here? Two of the best programs in NCAA history that are separated by 10 miles. The talent involved in the game is always top notch and these teams have a fiery hatred for each other. They always present us with classic game after classic game.
All-time record: 134-108 North Carolina
Current streak: North Carolina (1)
Top Players:
- Duke: Christian Laettner (1988-1992)
- 16.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2-time All American, 1-time Player of the Year
- North Carolina: Tyler Hansbrough (2005-2009)
- 20.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 4-time All American, 1-time Player of the Year
Top Coaches:
- Duke: Mike Krzyzewski (985-267)
- 13 conference championships, 32 tournament appearances, 12 Final Fours, 5 National Championships
- North Carolina: Dean Smith (879-254)
- 17 conference championships, 27 tournament appearances, 11 Final Fours, 2 National Championships
Historical Success:
- Duke: 22 conference championships, 40 tournament appearances, 16 Final Fours, 5 National Championships
- North Carolina: 37 conference championships, 47 tournament appearances, 19 Final Fours, 5 National Championships