Getty ImagesBouncy cheerleaders, blaring bands and sold-out arenas do not make a college hoops rivalry. They add to the pomp and circumstance, but it takes much more for two teams truly to be called rivals.
It takes h-e-a-t, or its anagram h-a-t-e. Any way you spell it, a rivalry must have long-term intensity.
It needs Matt Doherty being caught on camera calling the Duke cheerleaders "the ugliest in the ACC" in his first game at Durham as coach of North Carolina.
It's when a whole state clamors to hate you, according to an SI.com poll of Missourians who hate Kansas more than the Cubs and Raiders.
It's clear when fights have broken out after games or coaches have refused to shake hands afterwards in a city rivalry that may be more heated than any other.
And of course it needs elite basketball programs so that something besides bragging rights is at stake every time the teams meet.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points and Evan Smotrycz added 13, helping No. 22 Michigan remain unbeaten at home with a 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
Slideshow |
College hoops power rankings A look at the top teams in college basketball based on performance and potential. NBCSports.com |
Latest from Beyond the Arc |
Would Rick Pitino’s white suit work its magic vs. Syracuse?2 hr 51 min ago Here’s a shot you just can’t defend5 hr 58 min ago Five up, five down from college hoops’ huge day22 hr 28 min ago Michigan State sure shook up Big Ten by beating Buckeyes23 hr 13 min ago |
College basketball videos |
Highlights: No. 14 UNLV 65, No. 13 SDSU 63 Mike Moser scored 19 points, and UNLV forced three turnovers in the final 42 seconds to win. |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |