The Most Underrated Rivalry in Sports Returns Tonight

After taking a 13-year hiatus, the Tennessee—UConn rivalry is back.

I know women's basketball doesn't generally move the needle —for myself included — but I'm fired up for this. This rivalry shaped the sport of women's college basketball for nearly two decades and had the two greatest coaches ever and many of the greatest women's basketball players of all-time. I'm excited to have it back.

Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma absolutely HATED each other, which was great for women's basketball. Having the two best coaches of all-time have a genuine disdain for each other while at the top of the sport was good for everyone involved.

I am of the opinion that all things considered, Pat Summitt is the greatest team sports coach of all-time. She became Tennessee's head coach in 1974 before women's basketball was even an NCAA varsity sport and made UT into the preeminent national power. I only wish she had the fortune to be able to continue coaching a bit longer than she was able to and there's no telling how many more wins she'd have piled up. Geno's success was built upon the foundation that Pat Summitt laid.

I'm very excited for tonight. Lady Vols results don't usually affect me one way or another but I want this win badly. Carry the fight to UConn and keep it there for 40 minutes.

But regardless of the result tonight, this game needs to be played. It's a historic matchup between two of the greatest programs in collegiate athletics. Long may the rivalry live.