The Biggest NCAA Basketball Rivals
By
Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer Updated: 26 May 2023
Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer
Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.
NCAA Basketball Rivals
- Best College Basketball Rivalries
- The Biggest Rivalry in College Basketball
- Army vs. Navy
- Alabama vs. Auburn
- Michigan vs. Ohio State
- Oklahoma vs. Texas
- Fanbase Impact on Rivalries
- The Future of College Basketball Rivalries
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re a basketball fan, you’ll probably already know all about rivalries; maybe you’re even involved in one of your own! If so – and even if you don’t – you’ll want to check out today’s blog, as we will explore some of the most captivating and prominent NCAA basketball rivals. We’ll be looking at the history and traditions behind the biggest rivalries in college basketball, so let’s get started!
Best College Basketball Rivalries
We all know college basketball can be nerve-wracking for fans; there’s nothing worse than having high expectations of your team, only to watch them fall flat on their face! But what makes the best college basketball rivalries? And makes teams become NCAA basketball rivals?
Today, we’re going to answer just that; we’ll also be showing you a few of the most heated rivalries in college basketball – so even if you’re not a basketball fan, you’ll know why certain teams and their fans act the way they do!
The Biggest Rivalry in College Basketball
The biggest rivalry in college basketball comes from the history, passion, and deep-rooted connections between the teams and their fans.
These rivalries often began with the fact that the teams are located near one another or, sometimes, when they share conference affiliations. While these might sound fairly harmless, they can quickly spiral out of control – and today, there are some major top college basketball rivalries to be aware of!
A true rivalry is an emotional bond that unites fans and players alike, creating an electric atmosphere unlike anything else in sports. This page will look at some of the most iconic rivalries, namely Army-Navy, Alabama-Auburn, Michigan-Ohio State, and Oklahoma-Texas.
Thankfully, the best college basketball rivalries are often televised. This means you can watch them live. But did you know, you can also bet on them live? Thanks to mobile betting on basketball games, you can even place bets while you’re physically at one of the matches!
Army vs. Navy: A Classic Showdown
The Army vs. Navy rivalry dates back a long time – and it’s based around a special college basketball event that began in 1901. The event aims to showcase the talent of two of America’s oldest military academies: the Army and the Navy. Every time a match is played, it’s essentially a face-off between future leaders of the US’ military core, and this means it’s a lot more than just a game of basketball.
What’s interesting is that, despite the rivalry, both teams always manage to maintain professionalism and mutual respect for one another. Sure, the on-court action is very intense, but it never gets to a level that would be considered out of hand or nasty.
It’s said that the atmosphere during an Army-Navy game is one of the best in the college basketball world – and thousands of fans turn up every year for this legendary event!
Over the last decade, it’s been a pretty even balance in terms of winning and losing, but the significance of this event actually goes way beyond who wins. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve the country. In other words, it’s a basketball game showcasing the best of college basketball while honoring the military’s traditions at the same time.
Alabama vs. Auburn: Fierce Competition
The Alabama/Auburn rivalry is something else – it’s one of the most heated rivalries in all of college basketball. It’s often called the Iron Bowl and it’s always a fantastic showdown, where two schools from the same state play against one another in nail-biting conditions.
The rivalry has been going on since 1893. What’s unusual is that over the years, this rivalry has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, with fans from both schools preparing for and talking about the game all year long.
The atmosphere during an Alabama-Auburn game is said to be out of this world; fans come out in their thousands to support their teams. And, regarding the on-court action, you’ll enjoy watching some of the best college basketball in the world. After all, this isn’t just about basketball – it’s about pride, honor, and the desire to avoid losing!
While the rivalry is intense, we should also point out that there’s a sense of respect between the two schools. They know the other side is just as passionate about winning, and you won’t find any gloating or nefarious remarks being made (usually).
The Alabama/Auburn rivalry shows how college basketball rivalries can be perfectly healthy for players and fans. In our opinion, it’s one of the best college basketball rivalries today, while also being one of our top picks for betting on college basketball.
Michigan vs. Ohio State: Longstanding Adversaries
When it comes to the Michigan and Ohio State rivalry, it’s hard to put into words just how intense things can get at these games.
Both these incredibly competent teams regularly battle it out on the court – and their games are always considered to be some of the best in the NCAA. The rivalry has even been coined as “The Game” because it’s so high-stakes – and there’s a huge amount of emotion involved for both players and fans.
There’s always a ton of anticipation leading up to games, and, like you see before a boxing match, both teams and fans often proclaim their win in advance. Of course, the match isn’t just about winning; it’s also about earning bragging rights, which the winners can enjoy until the next encounter.
Over the years, both Michigan and Ohio State have had their share of wins and losses. However, no matter what happens, the rivalry continues to thrive. It’s definitely one of the top college basketball rivalries, and if you ever have the chance to watch one of their games, we strongly recommend it!
Oklahoma vs. Texas: A Red River Rivalry
The Oklahoma/Texas rivalry has been nicknamed the Red River Showdown. This giant matchup has been a huge deal with fans for years, as the rivalry has been running since 1900. Both teams are in the Big 12 Conference, meaning there’s a lot on the line when they face off against one another.
You’ll quickly see that fans of both teams cannot wait for the event, and when it happens, you can hear them from miles away. The energy from the fans is impressive, and they almost always wear their team’s colors – so it’s pretty visually impressive to look at, too. In our opinion, this rivalry is what college basketball is all about, and it leads to a much more exciting game.
Another thing that makes the Oklahoma and Texas rivalry special is the tradition behind it. This isn’t just a game for both sides – it’s a moment in history. The players see it as a chance to add to a story with more than a century of history – and because of this, it remains one of the most heated rivalries in college basketball in the US.
Fanbase Impact on Rivalries
Fan bases help make basketball rivalries; without them, rivalries would simply exist between the players and coaches. Not only do fans create a fantastic atmosphere, but they also help to encourage and spur on their teams.
Most fans choose to wear their team colors, and all basketball teams in the US understand that a rivalry depends on its fans; their cheers and chants make the game more emotional, transforming it into what some would call a form of art. Many fans even take the rivalry off the court, talking and joking with each other as they exit the stadium or engaging in banter on social media.
Usually, this is all light-hearted and fun – although sometimes it’s been known to get out of control, with physical violence and death threats being made. Thankfully, this rarely happens.
The Future of College Basketball Rivalries
As with almost everything in sport, the best college basketball rivalries will continue to change as the sport evolves. New rivalries might begin to emerge, while old rivalries could get left behind – lost in time, some might say.
We’ve already seen how much difference technology can make – and now, fans of opposing teams can take to social media before, during, and after a match to taunt or joke with fans from the opposing team. This will probably keep happening as we continue seeing new advancements in tech.
However, regardless of what technology comes out or how the game changes, the goal of winning will always be the primary drive for a rivalry. As long as fans keep cheering for their teams with a lot of noise, passion, and energy, basketball rivalries will keep inspiring players and fans for generations.
In fact, one of the most significant benefits of having these NCAA basketball rivalries is that they incentivize fans to watch games in person, rather than viewing them on TV. Of course, if you have an arch-nemesis, you want to make sure you’re there cheering your team on – and for this reason, it’s unlikely we’ll see a decline in attendance figures anytime soon.
