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Kansas Jayhawks: Five Biggest Rivals for KU fans

By trevb

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 03: Kansas Jayhawks fans raise their arms during a free throw in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse on January 3, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 03: Kansas Jayhawks fans raise their arms during a free throw in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse on January 3, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Five Biggest Rivals – Number Four: Kentucky Wildcats

This may be more of a flat out rivalry between John Calipari and Bill Self because, as of now, Calipari and Self have a pretty storied past. Kentucky fans are nasty enough to be a rival to pretty much every team in college basketball though. Self and Calipari have met twice in the national championship against each other, owning a 1-1 record.

Self’s victory came against the John Calipari led Memphis Tigers in the 2008 National Championship, which so far is Bill Self’s only national champion crown. Many Kansas fans can remember this championship by the mention of just one name: Mario Chalmers. The shot heard round the Phog is most likely a recurring reminder to John Calipari.

Calipari would later get his revenge in 2012. With his all-star player Anthony Davis, the Kentucky Wildcats steamrolled to the National Championship against the comeback kids of Lawrence. The run of the Jayhawks in 2012 was completely undermined by the Wildcats complete dominance of the tournament.

Ran by Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor, the Jayhawks made an unremarkable run to the championship. Now the Jayhawks have beat Kentucky twice in their most recent games involving the Big 12/SEC challenge. Self and Calipari continue to jab back and forth with each other with their blue blood programs.

Ask any KU fan who they hate the most and a lot will say Kentucky. Which three squads are ahead of them?

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