Pat Forde listed what he thinks are the hottest rivalries in college basketball today. #1 is Kentucky - Louisville. Fine, sure. #2 is Michigan State vs. Purdue. Okay. #3 is Kentucky vs. Tennessee. What is this, women's basketball?
Whatever. So Forde makes it all the way through his his top ten and then lists out a bunch of honorable mentions. Guess which rivalry doesn't make the list? Yep, Syracuse vs. Georgetown. The Syracuse-Georgetown rivalry in which Syracuse students have stormed the court after winning multiple times in recent years. The Syracuse-Georgetown rivalry in which Eric Devendorf was almost lynched inside the Verizon Center this past season. You know, that one. Not a mention.
Oh, but you know what rivalry did make the honorable mention list? Rutgers vs. Seton Hall.
See now, I don't think you were paying attention so I'm going to write that again. Rutgers vs. Seton Hall.
Let me make sure you got this. One of the red-hottest rivalries in all of college basketball is between Rutgers, who finished 11-21 (2-16) last season, and Seton Hall, who finished 17-15 (7-11). One of the hands-down best rivalries in all of the land is between two teams that have been to the NCAA Tournament a combined three times in the last ten years (all Seton Hall).
Pat, on behalf of Syracuse, Georgetown, Big East and college basketball fans everywhere, I say to you...
H/T: Jon