College Basketball Rivalries 2026: ‘Should Be Lower’

 Image Credit: CBK Report

Author: Kaleia Knappe

4 min read

 College Basketball Report posted an info graphic on July 2, 2026. This graphic shows their opinion of the Top 25 Best Rivalries in College Basketball in 2026. In this 3-part series, I share thoughts on their takes. ‘Perfect Positioning’ describes the ones I agree with, ‘Should Be Lower’ are the ones I believe are less important nationally, and ‘Should Be Higher’ are rivalries I believe are getting the short end of the stick. Click here for ‘Perfect Positioning‘ and here for ‘Should Be Higher‘. Click here to access the original post by CBK Report

Should Be Lower (in my opinion, these rivalries are overrated)

#2 Kentucky Wildcats vs. Louisville Cardinals: While this is the “Battle of the Bluegrass” and an important in-state rivalry, I don’t believe that it should get 2^nd place. Historically, the rivalry isn’t very competitive. The Wildcats leading the Cardinals 40-18. Yes, Louisville is coming up in the national rankings, which makes this increasingly entertaining, however there are several other rivalries on this list that have earned the #2 ranking. These teams will battle it out on December 12, 2026. Still check it out, though! It will be a good one!

#3 Purdue Boilermakers vs. Indiana Hoosiers: Another in-state, in-conference, rivalry that is not highly contested. A cool fact about this rivalry: while Purdue leads overall 128-93 during the regular season, Indiana leads in the NCAA tournament head-to-head, 5-0. These teams have gone on a reverse arc. While Indiana is considered a Blue Blood, they have fallen off the wagon. Purdue, on the other hand, has come up with Matt Painter, finishing runner-up in the 2024 NCAA finals. These teams sit 77 miles apart and will play each other twice in the upcoming season.

#5 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers: Again, an in-conference and in-state rivalry. They have played each other annually since 1924. This rivalry is becoming more popular by the year, with Nate Oats and Bruce Pearl having made these teams nationally known. Unfortunately for Auburn, Bruce Pearl has retired, and his son, Steven Pearl, has yet to prove himself at the helm. I think the ranking should be lower as this rivalry is not very competitive (the Crimson Tide leads 105-69). In addition, they are a whopping 158 miles apart.

#6 Xavier Musketeers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats: Okay, so maybe I live under a rock [chalk] but I have not seen this rivalry, and I pride myself on watching a lot of college basketball. After some research, I learned that this rivalry is named the “Crosstown Shootout” because these teams are separated by only 3 miles. Making almost every neighborhood between it divided. Cincy leads Xavier 52-41 in a rivalry that dates to 1928. Even with the close series history and the distance of less than a 5k race, I think it should be ranked lower. Neither team receives national attention and there are rivalries that are rated lower who have earned national recognition. This year they will meet on December 5, 2026, and be hosted by the Bearcats in Fifth Third Arena.

#11 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. St. Mary’s CA Gaels: These teams were the pride and joy of the WCC; despite, the actual lopsided series history, favoring the Zags 83-38. Recently, it has become more contested, but! Gonzaga is departing the WCC for the Pac-12. This makes the split series of 2025-2026 to be the last of its kind. The rivalry was the greatest in the WCC, but with its conclusion, this rivalry is fading in importance. The actual rivalry is up in the air, with no game scheduled for the 2026-27 season.

#12 Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones: Here’s an interesting fact: the Iowa Hawkeyes lead this series 48-31 even though Iowa State is the nationally renowned of the two. The Hawkeyes dominated early, winning 10 straight, before the teams started playing infrequently. They did not begin playing consistently until 1976. Right now, you might be asking why I did not put this rivalry up in the “Perfect Positioning” titles. While it is an in-state non-conference one, there are lower ranked rivalries that I feel should take the #12 spot. These teams sit 125 miles apart and it is Iowa’s turn to host on December 10, 2026, in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

#15 West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers: The “Backyard Brawl” started in 1906, it has seen 192 games with West Virginia leading 102-90. This rivalry used to be more important than it is today. For a long time, these teams faced off twice a year in the Big East. When the conferences re-aligned in 2012 and West Virginia took off for the Big 12, this series faced a hiatus. Historically, I believe it earned its spot as #15, but lately, it is not a contender in the top-15 spot. These teams will meet up in Pittsburgh on December 9, 2026, for the 193^rd game of the rivalry.