There’s nothing quite like the energy of a college basketball rivalry. The tension. The trash talk. The packed arenas. These aren’t just games; they’re emotional rollercoasters, history-defining battles, and the kind of matchups that get circled on calendars months in advance.
Ranking the Top 5 Rivalries in Women’s College Basketball
1. UConn vs. Tennessee
This one isn’t just iconic—it’s sacred. If women’s basketball had a Mount Rushmore of rivalries, UConn vs. Tennessee is chiseled in first.
Between 1995 and 2007, these two juggernauts clashed 22 times, often with national championship stakes on the line. The rivalry wasn’t just about the players—it was about two of the sport’s greatest minds: Geno Auriemma and the late Pat Summitt. Their on-court chess matches helped turn women’s basketball into must-watch television.
Tennessee had the early edge, riding a three-peat from 1996 to 1998. But then came UConn’s wave: Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore—their rosters read like future Hall of Fame rosters.
UConn now leads the all-time series 17–9, and when the rivalry was renewed in 2020 after a long pause, fans everywhere felt the nostalgia hit. As Geno once said, “It’s not just another game. It’s a measuring stick. It always was.”
2. USC vs. UCLA
The Battle of L.A.? Oh, it’s personal. While Cheryl Miller and USC owned the 80s with back-to-back national titles, UCLA has clawed its way into dominance in recent years thanks to head coach Cori Close. And now? This crosstown rivalry is just as fierce on the court as it is in the stands.
USC leans on its legacy. UCLA counters with current power and top-10 recruiting classes. When these two face off—whether it’s at Pauley Pavilion or Galen Center—it’s more than a basketball game.
3. UConn vs. Notre Dame
If UConn–Tennessee is the original blockbuster, UConn–Notre Dame is the modern-day thriller. From 2011 to 2019, these two battled 24 times—24!—including five straight Final Four matchups. It was pure chaos, in the best way possible. Muffet McGraw’s Irish went from underdog to UConn’s biggest nightmare, winning games that mattered most, including the 2018 Final Four, where Arike Ogunbowale drilled a dagger to win the title.
The rivalry was spicy, too. Auriemma and McGraw exchanged barbs like old-school villains. “There’s a difference between rivalry and respect,” Auriemma once said. “I think we had both—but not always at the same time.” With Notre Dame holding a slight edge (9–8 in their last 17), this rivalry had a rare balance of mutual hatred and grudging respect.
4. LSU vs. South Carolina
Welcome to today’s most electric rivalry. LSU and South Carolina are on a collision course every single season, and it’s downright thrilling. South Carolina, under the brilliant Dawn Staley, has built a dynasty with national titles in 2017 and 2022. But LSU? They’re not just catching up—they’re gunning for the throne.
Led by Kim Mulkey’s high-octane style and fueled by stars like Angel Reese, the Tigers stole the spotlight in 2023 by winning it all. When they clashed with South Carolina in the 2023–24 season, it was the game of the year: Kamilla Cardoso vs. Angel Reese, highlight plays, bad blood, and a national TV audience glued to every minute.
5. Cal vs. Stanford
The Battle of the Bay may not make the most headlines but don’t sleep on this NorCal classic. Stanford, led by the legendary Tara VanDerveer, has ruled the Pac-12 and stacked banners like it’s a hobby.
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But Cal has played the perfect foil, especially in the late 2000s, when stars like Ashley Walker and Devanei Hampton gave the Cardinal everything they could handle.
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