Men's Basketball: What is the biggest rivalry game?
I am curious about your thoughts as to what the current biggest rivalry game is for the men's basketball team . . .
Back in my day (1993-97), I think the majority would say that the Duke game in December was the biggest rivalry game. (It seemed to get the most attention and draw the biggest number of students sleeping out and lining up to get first-come, first-serve seats.) After the Fab Five left, it seems like the Michigan State games became the biggest rivalry games. Now, being further removed from the program, I'm not sure as to what the general sentiment is on campus. Is Michigan State the biggest rival? Ohio State? I'm interested in reading your thoughts.
January 14th, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^
South Eastern Delaware State. Those bastards.
January 14th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
Even though it's a bit one sided at this time. State has to be the biggest rival, followed by OSU.
January 14th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
I would say in basketball that Michigan State is our biggest rival. Of course Ohio State is still hated, and is probably #2 in my book, but I really, really detest losing to MSU.
January 14th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
Our view in basketball is much like your view in football; OSU is your #1, and we're either #2 or #3 behind ND (mostly #3) depending on the year and who you talk to.
In basketball, Wisconsin is our biggest rival; we "hate" Bo Ryan and his program way more than Beilein and his.* (On a personal note, I really like Beilein and the direction of his team, and root for them every game [except for the obvious]; I also think Ryan is kind of a jerk, but does it the right way with good kids, and I respect him for that).
As for M, I always thought of M basketball as an opportunity for spiteful MSU fans to get their catharsis after the heartache of losing in football so frequently.
*EDIT: I'm going out on a limb here to say that few MSU folk actually have any negative sentiment towards Beilein and his version of M. In a strangely positive way, I think JB has diffused the basketball rivalry a bit, and in that sense is the anti-Dantonio. He's a hard guy to "hate."
January 14th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^
Michigan State for sure. Sucked losing to OSU the other night, but I'll forget all about it if we beat MSU at some point this year.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^
For the past 10 years our biggest rivals have been Penn St and N'Western. The battles for that final NIT bid have created many heated, and memorable, contests.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^
Fuck Duke.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^
Duke is 13-5 against UM. (Under Coach K)
Hardly "rivals"....
January 14th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^
JB is 1-1 against Duke as a Michigan coach!!!
January 14th, 2011 at 10:26 AM ^
Frankly, outside of football that "school" in Ohio is only a little bit bigger game than all the rest -- and only then because the sight of scarlet and gray makes one think of football, and leads one's blood to boil a bit.
Back in the Fab Five days, Indiana was a great BB rival. Some great games between the two back then.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:30 AM ^
'70s and '80s it was Indiana.
Now...Indiana?
January 14th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^
hands down...
January 14th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
I say Purdue. No question
Wait, this isnt Inside The Hall. Nevermind
January 14th, 2011 at 11:10 AM ^
Whatever team we are playing to make the round of 16 in the tournament.
January 14th, 2011 at 12:30 PM ^
state is the biggest rival in every sport except football.