Top 5 Big East Rivalries

[Amase2]

I'd put the SJU/SH rivalry in the 3rd spot. There is serious bad blood between the two schools and fan bases. Between the recent recruiting battles and the fact that my johnnies will schedule SH at Carnesecca instead of MSG just so they won't have a large fan presence at the games shows the level of animosity the two sides have towards each other. Not to mention the countless times I was told to go F myself as I walked through the lobby of the Rock with my Eugene Lawrence jersey on. hahaha

I think deep down St. John's and Seton Hall fans don't really hate each other. I know I root for the hall to do well. Truth be told we are much more similar then we are different.

I semi-agree with this. Head to head, I want SHU to kick SJ's ass every single time. .

Oh absolutely. Sure I like you guys, but lets not go overboard

BTW, Gibbs is the most overlooked player in the conference IMO.

[ArmyVet]

No offense to either school, but no real big east fan would consider Xavier versus Butler a rivalry of any kind. A list like this that does not contain at least one rivalry game for Marquette is plain silly.

That seems a bit unfair. We are both in the Big East now so I don't see why it can't be a real rivalry.

I agree with the original sentiment. If we're talking about "Big East" rivalries, I can't completely buy into the list including two new teams who may have had some type of rivalry many years ago when they were in the same league.

[MUBoxer]

I dont think PC-Nova is a heated rivlary in terms of a must win game. Nobody that im aware of at PC hates Nova (or vica versa) I think it is a rivlary in the sense that these 2 have much in common(academics, student body, mission etc) Dont know if its still the case, but in my day many people I went to school with had friends, family etc taht attended Villanova (and BC for that matter)

I didnt check the actual facts, but it seems to me that in recent years nova and pc have played each other fairly often. I think they were the home and home game in the BE prior to last realignment moves

Also if the BE wanted to pair teams off IMO PC-Nova are a good pair to match


SH-SJU (new york)
Creighton-marquette (jesuits)
butler-depaul (chicago-indy)
gtown- xavier (uhm.. bulldogs?)

I guess you could switch depaul and xavier, if depaul gets back on track a rivlary with traditional power like gtown might be interesting

Don't understand these pairings at all. First Chicago Milwaukee would make more sense than Chicago Indy not to mention there's actually history between the two schools. Second pairing MU and CU because they're Jesuit doesn't make sense when there's two other Jesuit schools in the BE with another likely joining eventually. I just don't get the logic for those pairings.

[Chalmers0]

No offense to either school, but no real big east fan would consider Xavier versus Butler a rivalry of any kind. A list like this that does not contain at least one rivalry game for Marquette is plain silly.

That seems a bit unfair. We are both in the Big East now so I don't see why it can't be a real rivalry.

I agree with the original sentiment. If we're talking about "Big East" rivalries, I can't completely buy into the list including two new teams who may have had some type of rivalry many years ago when they were in the same league.

Xavier and Butler are rivals. Xavier and Butler are both in the Big East. Therefore, it is a Big East Rivalry.

[ChestRockwell85]

I will state this again....if the conference wants to make noise as a whole (not speaking about individual program successes), then St. John's and DePaul need to REALLY step their programs up. They will help all the other programs in recruiting if these 2 anchor cities can get their acts together.

Yes, St. John's has made decent strides. DePaul has their head in their asses for sure. I know for sure as I am a long-time season ticketholder.

However, I do believe if DePaul avoids all the past suspensions, players leaving the program, etc., then this year's team may be better than years past.

If DePaul falls flat again, which could easily happen, then Purnell will be terminated. I have resources that are saying it is a done deal if he does not win. Then, DePaul will have to nail the next coach while moving towards their new stadium.

I also have a friend who is working on the stadium specs and he says it is totally state-of-the-art design....and is excited to be a part of it. The area will be the new entertainment district in Chicago moving forward.

Now it is time to find a coach who is willing to play the recruiting game like everyone else. DePaul is too squeaky clean and you cannot compete in this environment any more by being this way.

How has St. John's made decent strides? They have been to the tournament twice in the last 14 years and haven't won an NCAA game since 2000. Not trying to sound like a jerk, but they have completely underachieved. Look at last season, they have 2 big men who are were on that team sign with pro teams in the last week or so and they don't even get out of the first round of the NIT. Unless Lavin brings in some decent recruits, after this year, especially with Jordan most likely leaving, they are going to be in the bottom 3.

Trust me, I am a New York guy, I am rooting for them, just doesn't seem close to happening though. Very interested in what will happen this year.

[Amase2]

I will state this again....if the conference wants to make noise as a whole (not speaking about individual program successes), then St. John's and DePaul need to REALLY step their programs up. They will help all the other programs in recruiting if these 2 anchor cities can get their acts together.

Yes, St. John's has made decent strides. DePaul has their head in their asses for sure. I know for sure as I am a long-time season ticketholder.

However, I do believe if DePaul avoids all the past suspensions, players leaving the program, etc., then this year's team may be better than years past.

If DePaul falls flat again, which could easily happen, then Purnell will be terminated. I have resources that are saying it is a done deal if he does not win. Then, DePaul will have to nail the next coach while moving towards their new stadium.

I also have a friend who is working on the stadium specs and he says it is totally state-of-the-art design....and is excited to be a part of it. The area will be the new entertainment district in Chicago moving forward.

Now it is time to find a coach who is willing to play the recruiting game like everyone else. DePaul is too squeaky clean and you cannot compete in this environment any more by being this way.

How has St. John's made decent strides? They have been to the tournament twice in the last 14 years and haven't won an NCAA game since 2000. Not trying to sound like a jerk, but they have completely underachieved. Look at last season, they have 2 big men who are were on that team sign with pro teams in the last week or so and they don't even get out of the first round of the NIT. Unless Lavin brings in some decent recruits, after this year, especially with Jordan most likely leaving, they are going to be in the bottom 3.

Trust me, I am a New York guy, I am rooting for them, just doesn't seem close to happening though. Very interested in what will happen this year.

Decent strides as in post season 3 of last 4 years, compared to 1 in the 7 years before that. Trust me no ones satisfied but it sure beats Norm Roberts.

[butlerguy03]

As posted earlier by other Butler fans, Xavier is the one school I want to beat the most in the Big East. However, if you could give me a win over Indiana and sacrifice 5 Big East wins, I would any day any year. I truly hate Indiana basketball, I don't hate anyone in the Big East, yet.

Talk about a program that uses ancient history to defend itself (Indiana).

[BEhomer]

when I root against certain teams it's because I don't like the head coach. problem(?) with BE is that all the coaches have clean images and none of them come across as sob. sometimes you need personalities like Jim Calhoun to rile things up.

[Boyee]

I would still say DePaul vs. Marquette is still a good rivalry. DePaul lost at home to them last year by 2 points due to Billy Garrett, Jr. missing a three point shot.