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NCAA Basketball: Top 10 historical rivalries up through 2018-19

By Zac Voynow

DURHAM, NC - MARCH 03: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels before their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - MARCH 03: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels before their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 08: Eliel Nsoseme #22 of the Cincinnati Bearcats fights for the ball against Tyrique Jones #0 of the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of the game at Fifth Third Arena on December 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 62-47. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 08: Eliel Nsoseme #22 of the Cincinnati Bearcats fights for the ball against Tyrique Jones #0 of the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of the game at Fifth Third Arena on December 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 62-47. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Cincinnati vs. Xavier

Cincinnati vs Xavier might be the most brutal and intense rivalry in the country. Both schools are located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and have been cross-town rivals since they started playing basketball. Nicknamed the “Crosstown Shootout,” this rivalry has been around since 1927. In 2011 they had to cancel the rivalry matchup in the middle of the game due to a bench clearing brawl that led to several players getting injured. The two schools are only three miles apart, making it one of the closest in proximity rivalries in the nation.

The rivalry was summed up fantastically by ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. He said, “Cincinnati and Xavier have created a rivalry that is unparalleled when it comes to outright passion and civic division.” Cincinnati owns the rivalry by winning 51 games versus Xavier’s 35. However, since 1996 Xavier has won 15 games and Cincinnati has won eight. It’s a back and forth rivalry that never fails to bring the passion and intensity that we all love so much about NCAA basketball.

Last season Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin got caught up with Xavier guard J.P. Macura after the game, in what resulted in a shouting match, which was dominated by curse words. These two schools hate each other despite their friendly beginnings. Cincinnati has the better overall history as a basketball program, but Xavier has made their mark on NCAA basketball, especially in the last 20 years. Ever since joining the Big East, Xavier has been a nationally relevant school, which has thrown gasoline onto this rivalry fire.

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