Image Credit: CBK Report
Author: Kaleia Knappe
5 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 Lower‘. Click here to access the original post by CBK Report
Why are They Not Higher? (Fun, underrated rivalries, no matter if you are a diehard or not)
#7 Kansas Jayhawks vs. missouri Tigers: Now, I might be biased, however, I feel that this is one of the best rivalries in college basketball. Especially after seeing this game in-person at the T-Mobile center. It is FIERCE. I am not ashamed to say that the sheer power of the atmosphere made me shed a tear. The “Border War” dates to 1907 and has been played out 272 times. KU leads 176-96. However, the inventor of basketball himself, James Naismith, is the only Jayhawk coach to have a losing record against mizzou, going 0-2. These teams historically met twice yearly until the Tigers departed for the SEC in 2012. The programs played a charity game in 2017 that raised $1.75 million for hurricane relief. The rivalry was re-instated in 2021, with the next match-up to be held at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on December 6, 2026. Catch me there in my crimson and blue and join me in the Bryson Tiller booing. TRAITOR! The “Border War” is a bloodbath between two very passionate fanbases.
#9 Kansas Jayhawks vs. k-state Wildcats: The “Sunflower Showdown” is the second longest running rivalry in college basketball. These teams have met 305 times, with KU leading 208-97. Both fanbases are diehards; this ends up being one of intense and deep animosity. It even sells out Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan (which is a very hard thing to do…) These fans travel very well, making the 85-mile difference seem like nothing. With both teams playing in the Big 12, each team has the chance to gain or split state bragging rights. However, based on how it is going, KU is going to need their trophy case…. Last year KU swept the series, 104-85 in Allen Fieldhouse and 82-62 in Manhattan. Jerome Tang, k-state’s coach got fired after that… 2025’s rendition of this rivalry at Allen Fieldhouse when KJ Adams threw down a thunderous dunk and the place exploded is one of my favorite memories. Keep an eye on this one, you won’t be disappointed!!
#16 UConn Huskies vs. St. John’s Red Storm: Both teams are nationally renowned. With Dan Hurley of the Huskies winning back-to-back NCAA championships in 2023 & 2024, and Rick Pitino of the Red Storm winning two consecutive Big East championships (defeating UConn in the process) and finished in the Sweet 16. Dan Hurley explains rivalries quite well in an interview with Shevani Menon for the website UConn Huskies: “It can’t be a rivalry if one program is winning national championships, going to the Final Four, and is dominate in college basketball, and the other program, you know, has been struggling for a long time.” Now Hurley said this when St. John’s was struggling, but now, they are up and coming. St. John’s leads this highly contested series 40-35. Tune into the Big East during the conference season and watch this marquee matchup.
#17 Kentucky Wildcats vs. Arkansas Razorbacks: While I don’t particularly like either of these teams, this is a rivalry I always make sure to watch. It has been a notable one since 1945, and has become a huge clash in the SEC. It became even more intense in 2024, when John Calipari switched teams. Calipari had coached Kentucky for 15 years and opened another dimension of this rivalry. Calipari defeated his current team, the Razorbacks, 14 times while at the helm of the Wildcats. Since he switched, he has gotten the Razorbacks 2 wins over his old team. This matchup is one to watch. Kentucky has recently struggled under Mark Pope, and the Razorbacks are quickly rising under Calipari.
#23 Houston Cougars vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: This rivalry is up and coming with both the Cougars and the Red Raiders frequenting the Top 25. Most recently, the two split their series. While originating back in 1961, these teams did not play each other yearly until Houston joined the Big 12 in 2023. The Cougars hold a narrow lead of 33-29 over the Red Raiders. Even though they are not as close to each other as some of the other rivalries (519 miles), this one is a hoot because you never know which team is going to come out on top and the outcome has massive Big 12 and NCAA seeding implications.
#24 Creighton Bluejays vs. UConn Huskies: Now this is a perfect example of a baby rivalry. Creighton did not play UConn until December 20, 2020, when UConn rejoined the Big East. The Bluejays have dominated since that first narrow win, going 10-4 all-time. However, in the past few years, the Huskies have come into their own, resulting in a split last year. With both teams’ boasting national recognition, we can only assume that this rivalry is going to continue to blossom under Dan Hurley for the Huskies, and new coach, Alan Huss for Creighton.
Honorable Mention:
Lafayette vs. Lehigh: While neither of these teams are nationally known, these two Patriot League schools have played each other over 250 times since 1902. This is the longest-running and most-played rivalry in Division I Men’s College Basketball, with Lafayette holding a narrow edge in the all-time series.
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