Intense Rivalries in College Basketball
The average sport fan might swap 50 basketball losses for a single football win, but there’s still plenty of tension on the court between Texas and Oklahoma. Their rivalry has intensified as both teams have encountered new challenges since moving from the Big 12 to the SEC.
74. Oral Roberts vs. Tulsa
This crosstown rivalry dates back to 1971, and they have been competing for the “PSO Mayor’s Cup” since 2012.
73. Bradley vs. Illinois State
Known as the “I-74 rivalry,” this fierce competition spans all sports, but in men’s basketball, their history began in 1905.
72. Washington vs. Oregon
Though often recognized for their football rivalry, the rivalry in basketball is equally notable with Washington holding a 96-78 advantage overall. Their meetings have developed high stakes, particularly as they transition into the Big Ten.
Interestingly, the two teams first faced off on the basketball court in 1918. However, recent developments since December 2022 have left their rivalry in limbo, especially with TCU deciding to pause their “Battle for Iron Frying Pan” football matchup after 2025. This doesn’t bode well for their basketball encounters moving forward.
70. Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee
This rivalry, aptly named the “100 Mile Hate,” is fueled by the geographic closeness of the two schools. They have built a competitive history starting in the Ohio Valley Conference and more recently reconnected within Conference USA since 2013.
Just 60 miles apart, these two teams, competing in what’s referred to as “Border Battles,” first clashed in 1952. In recent years, one can’t help but observe the significance of these matchups, particularly with coaches like Wilwade and McNeese making headlines in the Southland and Lamar classes. With Wade moving to NC State, the Cardinals might be eyeing revenge against the former rivals when they meet again in 2026.
68. Washington vs. Washington State
One of the longest-running rivalries in college athletics, the annual clash between Washington and Washington State has seen the Huskies maintaining dominance since the 1916-17 season with a record of 186 wins to 111 losses. Intriguingly, both teams have yet to appear in the NCAA tournament together in a single season.
This rivalry has also faced its share of irregularities owing to the changing landscape of college conferences.
At the start of the millennium, the Duke vs. Maryland rivalry could have been touted as one of the most competitive. They delivered some unforgettable games, notably during the 2001 Final Four. Although Duke celebrated their victory in that game and went on to claim the national title, Maryland wasn’t far behind, snagging a championship the following year. Since Maryland’s move to the Big Ten in 2014, the teams haven’t met.
Reflecting on this rivalry, it’s intriguing to consider how things might have shifted, particularly with Chris Beard’s move that has stirred the pot lately.
65. Wyoming vs. Colorado
The “Border War” between these two Mountain West adversaries dates back to January 1911, with a total of 243 meetings. While the Rams have been strong recently, Wyoming actually leads the historical series 138-105.
Stanford vs. CAL
This West Coast rivalry sparked in 1959, and they have met annually since 1993. Stanford currently leads the series with a 47-27 record, showcasing some competitive highlights recently in tournaments.
Interestingly, some of the best rivalries make little logical sense. This one, for example, stands out because the respective schools aren’t geographically close yet have shared the Big East Conference since 2013, resulting in fierce matchups. A little animosity seems to have brewed over the years, keeping the fanbases on their toes.
62. Louisville vs. Cincinnati
While both schools have bigger rivals (Kentucky and Xavier, respectively), their confrontations are consistently intense. U of L and UC have flipped conferences multiple times before the Cardinals landed in the ACC in 2014-15. The height of their rivalry arguably occurred in the 90s, with notable matchups between coaches Bob Huggins and Denny Crum. They have faced each other 100 times, with the series showing a slight lead for Louisville at 56-44, reigniting this classic rivalry on November 21.
Lehigh vs. Lafayette
Known simply as one of the fiercest rivalries in college athletics, the matchup between Lehigh and Lafayette first took place in 1901. Lehigh celebrated their 150th victory last season, now holding bragging rights with an overall count of 150-98.
60. San Francisco vs. Santa Clara
This long-standing rivalry began in 1908, with San Francisco claiming a slim series advantage at 121-118. Both schools can celebrate their historic successes in the 1950s, marking significant achievements in NCAA tournaments over the years.
59. Green Bay vs. Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Known as the “I-43 rivalry,” Green Bay and Milwaukee have had a contentious history since they first played in 1971. Recent competitions have been marred by accusations and altercations, escalating tensions to a boiling point.
Rivalries in the Horizon League
With other rivalries heating up, it may seem strange to place these two teams on this list. Just a few years back, such a rivalry would have been almost laughable. However, Clayton fans have certainly made their presence known, particularly with Dan Hurley leading the way.
What’s more, Clayton appears to be the only program using UConn’s numbers efficiently in recent years, creating an interesting contrast as they lead the series 9-3.
It’s essential to mention the rivalry between Iona and Manhattan, which sits just a few miles apart. Historically, both are the strongest contenders in the Atlantic Athletic Conference and have a total of 24 NCAA tournament appearances together, consistently clashing in championship games from 2013 to 2015.
And while they share a long-standing relationship in the Big Ten, not much sincerity has come through. Historical tensions between coaches could provide context for the intensity of their matchups, especially as fans look forward to the future of this rivalry.
It might not be the most significant rivalry in the Big Ten, but it certainly ignites a certain passion when the teams face off.
Lastly, both teams encountered shifts in traditional rivalries due to conference changes, yet they have formed a competitive rivalry since VCU joined the Atlantic 10 in 2013. The Rams and Flyers have had a remarkable history of competitive games over the last decade, with VCU currently leading the series 16-10.
