The Holy Land of Hoops

OK, let's have some fun. The first year is about over. Whom do YOU think is your school's top rival and then the second top. Let's see how many cross matches we get. Don't need any reasons, just your personal thoughts.

Butler, I'm going with #1 Xavier and #2 Marquette.

1. G'twn
2. SJU

1.) G'Town
2.) Nova
3.) Seton Hall

Providence doesn't have one.

For SJU: Historically, G'town #1. Nova #2 because of OBE ties.

I have never really sensed a rivalry with the Hall, despite the proximity. Lately, we seem to have been developing one with the Friars---on the court and the recruiting trail.

For Seton Hall, there really isn't one. If you forced me to choose someone, I guess I'd say St. John's because of the proximity, but there really isn't any animosity there. I'd happily let St. John's sweep us every year in exchange for a win over Rutgers and I think most SHU fans would agree with me. The Prudential Center sells out for Seton Hall-Rutgers. Nobody in the Big East comes close to that.

I don't really see a "rival" for Creighton at this point in the Big East... but I think some seeds were planted this year that could blossom into rivalries in the next few years... a lot which will depend on how CU performs in the conference next season and beyond.

Which teams do I see potentially becoming rivals for CU in the next 1-3 years...
#1 - Marquette
#2 - Xavier

Maybe Butler as #3, due to geographic proximity and similar styles of play.

Depaul for history's sake (still pulling for you guys down 94!)

Competitively for close games and such I'd say GTown, I mean I just looked up the scores of the games since we joined the BE and they're almost always inside 10pts. Plus historical basketball powerhouses, Jesuit universities, etc.

But logically it'll be Xavier as I feel they're the best set to stay good in the BE consistently and they're closer to us etc.

My jury's still out on Creighton, I know there's a bunch of family ties and whatnot but I just don't view them as a rivalry. This isn't meant to insult Creighton but I think I'd view them more of a rival if their program had a bit more history to it. Not saying they aren't good or anything and hope they do great in the tournament this year but just not feeling it yet.

So ya I'm predicting Xavier no1 (though might have a bias as them and Depaul were my backup schools)

G'Town for sure. I feel like it's a classic rivalry of the more classy variety rather than out for blood. Just fun whenever we play them. G'Town fans are some of the coolest I've met. Cuse and UConn fans are unbearable.

The rivalry with DePaul is solely based on history and proximity, but it's not really much of a rivalry. After a season sweep this year, Marquette has now won 35 of the last 42 meetings with DePaul. That's the kind of rivalry a nail has with a hammer.

Marquette and Georgetown have had some nailbiting contests over the years, so it's a date you look forward to on the schedule.

There are seeds of rivalry with Butler, Creighton, and Xavier.


But make no mistake. Those schools are rivals. Wisconsin is the enemy. And don't even get me started on the Irish.