Before diving in, here are a couple of things to note.
First off, this list exclusively focuses on Division I men’s basketball rivalries. So, if you’re looking for matchups like Calvin University vs. Hope College or Ferris vs. Grand Valley State, you’re in the wrong place.
Secondly, the accuracy of this list is solid. No debates here. It’s time to get into it.
100. North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T
This rivalry gained traction when North Carolina A&T joined the CAA in 2021 after the previous MEAC rivalry faded.
99. UCSB vs. Cal Poly
Best known for men’s soccer, the “Blue Green Rival” doesn’t quite translate to basketball, where UCSB has won 15 of the last 16 matchups.
98. Army vs. Navy
This rivalry is better recognized in football than basketball. The Midshipmen lead historically, 85-56. Interestingly, the Black Knights are among the few original Division I teams yet to reach the NCAA tournament.
97. Portland vs. Portland State
Even with a not-so-rich basketball history, this rivalry remains fierce, with both teams competing intensely for the past 20 years across various conferences.
96. UConn vs. St. John’s
A budding rivalry worth keeping an eye on in the Big East, especially since coaches Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley add plenty of excitement to their matchups.
95. Southeastern Missouri vs. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
The games between SEMO and SIUE have a notable intensity, with past dominance by SEMO, but SIUE currently holds bragging rights after a recent NCAA tournament appearance.
94. Illinois vs. Northwestern
Dating back to 1908, Illinois has historically controlled this rivalry, although they’ve split recent seasons. Illinois leads overall, but it’s still a competitive atmosphere.
93. UAB vs. Memphis
Previously a part of Conference USA, Memphis used to dominate the “Battle for Bones” before UAB joined the American Conference in 2023.
92. Houston vs. Texas Tech
Since moving to the Big 12, Houston has developed a notable rivalry with Texas Tech, splitting their recent matchups.
91. North Florida vs. Jacksonville
The annual “River City Rumble” showcases this crosstown rivalry, where Jacksonville once dominated, but the Ospreys currently hold a slight edge in their series.
90. The Citadel vs. VMI
This rivalry between military schools has been competitive since 1920. VMI leads by a narrow margin, adding to the excitement of each matchup.
89. West Virginia vs. Marshall
Characterized by tension, West Virginia has avoided playing Marshall since the 2015-16 season, leading to an intense NCAA tournament encounter in 2018.
88. BYU vs. Gonzaga
This rivalry has cooled down with conference realignments, but they’ve had some memorable games, especially in past conference tournaments.
87. Georgetown vs. Villanova
While the 1985 National Championship Game looms large, this rivalry remains alive despite Georgetown’s struggles in recent years, though they still have a slight historical edge.
86. Murray State vs. Belmont
Both teams were powerhouses in the Ohio Valley Conference before moving to the Missouri Valley in 2022, but their rivalry remains strong.
85. Charlotte vs. Davidson
These North Carolina rivals compete annually for “The Hornet’s Nest Trophy.” Despite Charlotte’s overall lead, Davidson has had its share of recent successes.
84. Stephen F. Austin vs. Sam Houston
Known as “The Battle of Piney Woods,” their heated matchups since 1956 reflect a deeply rooted rivalry, with SFA holding the upper hand in wins.
83. Wofford vs. Furman
The “I-85” rivalry is significant in the SoCon, particularly since both programs have enjoyed success, with Wofford recently claiming a championship game victory over Furman.
82. Drexel vs. Penn
As a geographically close rivalry, “The Battle of 33rd Street” has gained interest recently, especially with Drexel joining the famed Philadelphia Big 5.
81. Baylor vs. Houston
While Houston historically holds the series advantage, recent matchups between these teams have been thrilling since their move to the Big 12.
80. Dayton vs. St. Louis
Debates on the rivalry’s intensity persist, but the two major Atlantic 10 programs vie for the “Archbaron Cup” each year, with Dayton leading the historical series.
79. Oakland vs. Detroit Mercy
This rivalry, featuring the two Division I schools from Detroit, showcases intense competition during their annual “Metro Series,” with Oakland having the edge lately.
78. Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio
The “Battle of Bricks” is one of the longest-standing rivalries, with Miami holding a historical lead, even though Ohio has won the majority of recent games.
77. Canisius vs. Niagara
As the oldest rivalry in MAAC, these teams have been competing since 1904, with Niagara leading the all-time series while also competing annually for the “Bridge Battle” title.
76. Memphis vs. Tennessee
This rivalry is intriguing, with a history of intense matchups, including a notable one in 2008, though they’ve recently avoided playing each other. The heated rivalry deserves revival.
Stay tuned for the next article in this series.
