After the basketball game between the Cards and the Cats last weekend I came down with a terrible stomach virus. It has taken me a few days to be able to read all of the articles and really reflect back on that game and get a feel for how folks felt about the outcome. Maybe it’s because this was the first season where the rivalry game in both football and basketball happened only a few weeks apart, maybe it’s because of the recent disparity of both sports, but the back and forth between the fans has been as heated as ever. And I have also noticed how some think the basketball game should be stopped all together.
Look we all overreact sometimes and it is tough losing the last 7 out of 8 to the other side especially when you may work in an office full of their fans. I wrote an article last year before the Cardinals and the Cats played each other in the Sweet 16, and explained why I even felt like it wouldn’t bother me if this rivalry ended. But my feelings had more to do with the vitriolic nature and the hate filled back and forth more than the string of recent losses. It really did put a damper on this game for me. But that was an overreaction and me getting too caught up in what a small minority of folks were doing. I since have regained my passion for both the football and basketball Battles of the Bluegrass and hope it last forever.
The majority of the current overreaction appears to be because of the latest string of losses in the basketball game and due to their coach holding a 7-1 advantage recently in the series. So based on that I decided that I would take a closer look at what most consider the other top rivalries in college basketball to see what those overall records looked like.
These are in no particular order, but are thought of as the other top rivalries in college hoops.
-(UNC 133 DUKE 105)
*There has been several times when UNC won 16 straight in this series. And Roy Williams has lost 8 out of the last 11 to Krzyzewski.
-(Georgetown 41 Syracuse 49)
*There have been as many as 6 losses in a row by teams in this series.
-(Cincinnati 49 Xavier 32)
*Cincy has won as many as 8 in a row in this series.
-(Kansas 187 Kansas St 92)
*Kansas has won as many as 32 straight in this series.
-(Duke 113 Maryland 63)
*Duke has won as many as 15 straight in this series.
-(Indiana 88 Purdue 113)
*Indiana has won as many as 13 straight in this series.
-(Michigan 97 Michigan State 77)
*Michigan State has won as many as 8 straight in this series.
-(VCU 41 Richmond 26)
*Richmond has won 2 out of the last 13 in this series.
-(Florida 43 Florida State 22)
*Florida has won 5 straight in this series.
In the Battle of the Bluegrass rivalry the series stands at 32-15 with Kentucky leading and winning the last 7 out of 8. No team has ever won more than 5 in a row in this series.
Some of the best rivalries in college basketball have pretty big margins separating the two teams and as you can see above many times has been dominated by one team or the other. Has that hurt these bitter rivalries? Should we not consider UNC and Duke a rivalry anymore because Roy has lost 8 of the last 11 to Mike?
Once a Rivalry is started fans who have developed feelings of pride, solidarity, loyalty to a certain side aren’t ever going to change no matter how many times the other guys beat them. That’s what makes the rivalry great. We as human-beings need rivalry and it makes sports a lot more interesting. Sure Calipari and his Cats are putting it on us lately, but they have been pretty good overall don’t ya think. And our Cardinals haven’t done so bad either.
All of you folks freaking out over this recent loss to UK need to take a step back away from the ledge. Look at the big picture. Our little rivalry here in the state of Kentucky is just as competitive as any of the others in the country. It was here before any of us and it will be here after we are all gone. No matter how many games John Calipari wins with his super recruits.