Who Is MU's Biggest Rival?

[LloydMooresLegs]

If ND was on this year's schedule or there was a plan in place to put them back on the schedule, it wouldn't be close for me--ND.  

DePaul has sucked for too long.

UWM is taken as the joke intended.

By default it is Bucky--it didn't feel that way in the 80's, but it does now.

Interesting to see the teams being added by Heisenberg and others.

[Golden Avalanche]

Anyone else find it interesting that based on the numbers given the top three "rivals" as voted dominate Marquette in the all time match-ups?

[muwarrior69]

Larry Williams!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Anyone else find it interesting that based on the numbers given the top three "rivals" as voted dominate Marquette in the all time match-ups?

I don't know if I would say dominated with UW-madison.  It's 46.2% to 53.8%. 

The other ones are far more pronounced...only 32% of the ND games won.  38.8% of the Louisville games. 

[Galway Eagle]

I agree that UW and ND are the two leaders by a long shot but if Depaul was still good I'd have them right there with those two.  In fact when Depaul isn't good and beats us (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X-eYsrLOdY) for that split instant I'm more upset than when UW or ND beats us. 

[WarriorFan]

ND

And it's very disappointing that we're not playing them this year and every year.  Major failure by MU athletics dept.  I'd rather have a regular rivalry non conference game with ND than with a powerhouse like Ohio State.  It's more fun, and it cements the bond (or lack of ) between the universities and fan base. 

[Tugg Speedman]

ND

And it's very disappointing that we're not playing them this year and every year.  Major failure by MU athletics dept.  I'd rather have a regular rivalry non conference game with ND than with a powerhouse like Ohio State.  It's more fun, and it cements the bond (or lack of ) between the universities and fan base. 

Not MUs fault ... ND has to commit

[brewcity77]

With ND and Louisville off the schedule, it has to be Wisconsin. Whether they admit it or not, we were their biggest rival before and after the reconstruction of the Big East. They may want it to be MSU, Michigan, or Ohio State, but those three are a lot more obsessed with each other than they are UW. A rivalry has to go both ways. Wisconsin is #1, though ND is right there if we renew the series.

[Let's Go Warriors]

With ND and Louisville off the schedule, it has to be Wisconsin. Whether they admit it or not, we were their biggest rival before and after the reconstruction of the Big East. They may want it to be MSU, Michigan, or Ohio State, but those three are a lot more obsessed with each other than they are UW. A rivalry has to go both ways. Wisconsin is #1, though ND is right there if we renew the series.

This is spot on from both sides.  The only people on their side trying to claim MU is not a rival are internet d-bags with an agenda...

Im too lazy to go look but Im pretty sure there are quotes stating how big the rivalry is from former UW players.

[frozena pizza]

Well DePaul is the only school on the list that is still in our conference and they've been pretty bad.  If ND was still in our conference I would have said them, possibly the same for Louisville.  But out of these choices I have to say UW (which I hate because they think we are obsessed with them).

I consider Georgetown and Villanova to be pretty good rivalries for us despite the geographic separation.  We've had some great games with both those teams.

[Dawson Rental]

ND

And it's very disappointing that we're not playing them this year and every year.  Major failure by MU athletics dept.  I'd rather have a regular rivalry non conference game with ND than with a powerhouse like Ohio State.  It's more fun, and it cements the bond (or lack of ) between the universities and fan base. 

Obviously, you don't know what's going on there.  ND has axed the series for the foreseeable future.

[Dawson Rental]

With ND and Louisville off the schedule, it has to be Wisconsin. Whether they admit it or not, we were their biggest rival before and after the reconstruction of the Big East. They may want it to be MSU, Michigan, or Ohio State, but those three are a lot more obsessed with each other than they are UW. A rivalry has to go both ways. Wisconsin is #1, though ND is right there if we renew the series.

However, we as fans of MU might have felt about Louisville, I'm sure that their fans would giggle at the thought that we were rivals.  The team that they love to hate and that they feel on the same level as is Kentucky.

[Golden Avalanche]

Obviously, you don't know what's going on there.  ND has axed the series for the foreseeable future.

But that's not public knowledge. There's been no official word from the South Bend athletic department. It's simply the truth based on a narrative built here from the words of three people who are closer to the inside track than the casual fan.

Right?

[Dawson Rental]

But that's not public knowledge. There's been no official word from the South Bend athletic department. It's simply the truth based on a narrative built here from the words of three people who are closer to the inside track than the casual fan.

Right?

Yet, far more likely than the statement that the series wasn't continued due to a "Major failure by MU athletics dept."

[mu-rara]

This is spot on from both sides.  The only people on their side trying to claim MU is not a rival are internet d-bags with an agenda...

Im too lazy to go look but Im pretty sure there are quotes stating how big the rivalry is from former UW players.

Funny, it's probably the internet dbags who hate us the most.  The looks of hatred and the early exit of Vadger fans when we beat them at the KohlHole 2 years ago tells me all I need to know....It's a rivlary.

[Dreadman24]

A rivalry is only a "rivalry" if the opposing team consider us as so. Therefore, I would say Wisconsin and maybe Depaul.

[frozena pizza]

However, we as fans of MU might have felt about Louisville, I'm sure that their fans would giggle at the thought that we were rivals.  The team that they love to hate and that they feel on the same level as is Kentucky.

Not if they pay attention.  I'm sure Louisville fans would rather beat Kentucky than Marquette, but there's no question that they have been one of our top rivals over the past 15 years.  Part of what makes a rivalry great is memorable games and there are just a ton of them in this series.  Card Chronicle did a great job compiling a list of the best games between these teams.  I'll never forget the game Wade had at Louisville to bring us all the way back from 19 down to win and completely dominated Reece Gaines, or the Jerry Smith shot to beat us, or the time they came back from 18 down with 5:36 to play and I literally could not talk about it for two weeks.

http://www.cardchronicle.com/2012/1/16/2710357/ten-most-memorable-louisville-vs-marquette-games-rivalry-cardinals-knowles-jerry-smith

[ChicosBailBonds]

A rivalry is only a "rivalry" if the opposing team consider us as so. Therefore, I would say Wisconsin and maybe Depaul.

This is correct, and also why the BS meter goes off on the UW-madison board.  MSU doesn't consider UW-madison a rival, neither does OSU, or Michigan or IU.  I'm sure UW-madison believes those teams are rivals, but there is no reciprocation. 

So when I hear the nonsense in the endless threads and posts screaming how MU isn't a rival, it is always a rather humorous affair.  It takes two to tango for a rivalry to matter.  UW-milwaukee fans think MU is a rivalry, it is not a rivalry in reality.  It may be couched that way, but not really.

I'd still go UW-madison, Notre Dame, DePaul and hopefully some new ones to be created moving forward.

[frozena pizza]

One thing I like about the new conference is that Xavier, Butler and Creighton are all well positioned to be new rivals.

[Galway Eagle]

I think going forward the most likely one is Xavier, I don't understand the idea that Creighton is most likely to be our rival.  We've had a couple great games recently against X (Old Spice Classic and ending their Sweet 16 streak) and recently our profiles in terms of success have been similar.

[MarquetteDano]

I think going forward the most likely one is Xavier, I don't understand the idea that Creighton is most likely to be our rival.  We've had a couple great games recently against X (Old Spice Classic and ending their Sweet 16 streak) and recently our profiles in terms of success have been similar.

Agreed.  Xavier seems to have a chippiness (case in point: recent Cincy-X games) to their style too which usually adds to the rivalry.

[MUMountin]

I think going forward the most likely one is Xavier, I don't understand the idea that Creighton is most likely to be our rival.  We've had a couple great games recently against X (Old Spice Classic and ending their Sweet 16 streak) and recently our profiles in terms of success have been similar.

From Creighton's perspective, I'm sure they will definitely look to us as a top rival, given that we are the closest in proximity to them.  And, since both teams are (were?) supposed to be pretty competitive this year, could be some great games off the bat to spark a rivalry. 

We might not end up feeling quite as strong about it as them, given some pre-existing/potential rivalries (G'town/Nova from old BE, X and Butler among newbies, given recent history).  But, my guess is that a couple of tough, chippy games this year, and that could shift quickly.  In old BE, I felt like both Pitt and 'cuse ended up becoming pretty good rivalries in just a few years time based on a couple of close/good games against them, even though I wouldn't have predicted that going in. 

[Tugg Speedman]

One thing I like about the new conference is that Xavier, Butler and Creighton are all well positioned to be new rivals.

Here is the history with these schools

Creighton
Total Games = 76
First Game = 1923
Last Game = March 11, 1998
Series record = 48 (MU) 28 (Creighton)

Xavier
Total Games = 61
First Game = 1923
Last Game = March 18, 2011
Series record = 45 (MU) 16 (Xavier)

Butler
Total Games = 29
First Game = 1922
Last Game = March 23, 2013
Series record = 15 (MU) 14 (Butler)

[Galway Eagle]

From Creighton's perspective, I'm sure they will definitely look to us as a top rival, given that we are the closest in proximity to them.  And, since both teams are (were?) supposed to be pretty competitive this year, could be some great games off the bat to spark a rivalry. 

We might not end up feeling quite as strong about it as them, given some pre-existing/potential rivalries (G'town/Nova from old BE, X and Butler among newbies, given recent history).  But, my guess is that a couple of tough, chippy games this year, and that could shift quickly.  In old BE, I felt like both Pitt and 'cuse ended up becoming pretty good rivalries in just a few years time based on a couple of close/good games against them, even though I wouldn't have predicted that going in. 

Well I was just referring to how Creighton's program is positioned going forward post gibbs and mcdermott.  I just don't see them staying at the level necessary to remain a big rival while I can see that with X.  Also I'm pretty sure Depaul is closer in proximity to Creighton. 

[WarriorFan]

With ND and Louisville off the schedule, it has to be Wisconsin. Whether they admit it or not, we were their biggest rival before and after the reconstruction of the Big East. They may want it to be MSU, Michigan, or Ohio State, but those three are a lot more obsessed with each other than they are UW. A rivalry has to go both ways. Wisconsin is #1, though ND is right there if we renew the series.

You're right, it just sucks to admit it, both because we've lost the ND series and because it legitimatizes the crap that passes for basketball in Madison.  Rivalry games are supposed to be exciting, 89-86 victories, not snoozers where you can catch a 10 minute nap between baskets.