Big East Basketball: Biggest in-state battles in non-conference schedule for 2018-19

Local rivalries drive the intensity behind college sports, and this year, the Big East basketball calendar is loaded with plenty of interesting clashes.

Even after the conference reformation prior to the 2013-14 season, the Big East remains driven by its history, maybe more so than any other league in the country. Of course, the nostalgia of the “old Big East” will never die, but even outside the intra-conference battles, the 10 teams have – for the most part – each continued their own in-state clashes through the years.

There is something special about playing a team just down the road, even if the two schools do not technically match up as each other’s biggest rival. Often times, players on both squads grow up playing with or against members of the opposing team; the coaching staffs wrestle against one another for the same recruits; the students know former classmates on the other side of the battle lines; even families divide over school allegiance. The community rallies around the game, adding just a little extra heat to the already fiery college basketball campaign.

For the most part, each Big East team has maintained those local rivalries (Georgetown and St. John’s are playing hometown squads this year, but none of the high- or even mid-major variety). So mark your calendar – here are the most interesting neighborhood feuds to watch in 2018.