College Basketball Rivalries That Will Survive Realignment

Some of the best college basketball rivalries will be no longer once the conference realignment goes in to full effect, but luckily some of the nation's premier rivalries will continue.

Though changing conferences gives some programs the opportunity to make more money or strengthen recruiting, certain rivalries will sadly fade away.

The biggest changes come in the Big East as the Syracuse Orange and Pittsburgh Panthers head to the ACC after this season.

The West Virginia Mountaineers have already moved on to the Big 12, ending the memorable rivalry maintained with Pitt through the years.

One of the most iconic college basketball rivalries, between Syracuse and the Georgetown Hoyas, will be altered at season's end.

Another favorite rivalry came to an end this season is that between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers, as Mizzou now plays in the SEC.

It is possible that these rivalries could continue through non-conference play, but that is yet to be determined.

Let's take a glance at some of college basketball's rivalries that will remain unscathed.

Duke vs. North Carolina

The rivalry between the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels is without question one of the best in not only college hoops but in the entire world of sports.

Both programs have some of the biggest fanbases in the country.

Year after year this matchup receives so much hype, and it certainly deserves every bit.

Duke and North Carolina are two of the nation's most successful college basketball programs.

These ACC powerhouse teams have appeared in the Final Four a combined 33 times. North Carolina has won five national championships and Duke has won four.

The two rivals have squared off once already this season, ending in a 73-68 Duke victory.

On March 9, Duke travels to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina in the last regular-season game for both clubs.

Kansas vs. Kansas State

The Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats provide an exciting matchup each time these two rivals come together.

It is often a back-and-forth battle between these two in-state rivals.

Kansas has held the upper hand recently, winning the past four matchups.

The Jayhawks won both matchups this season, including an 83-62 annihilation earlier this month.

The last time that K-State beat KU was in 2011.

Former Wildcat Jacob Pullen scored 38 points in an 84-68 win over the Jayhawks, who were No. 1 in the nation at the time.

Kentucky vs. Louisville

When the Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals clash, most Kentucky residents do not miss a second of it.

The University of Kentucky has one of the most historic programs in college basketball, having won eight national titles.

Louisville may not have the history that UK has, but the Cardinals have won two national championships.

Both teams met in the Final Four last season. The Wildcats won the game, 69-61, and went on to win John Calipari's first title.

The Cardinals got some revenge when the two teams played this season, however, coming up with an 80-77 victory.

The Big 5

The "Big Five" brings forth a city-wide rivalry between the Temple Owls, Villanova Wildcats, La Salle Explorers, Pennsylvania Quakers and Saint Joseph's Hawks.

These Philadelphia schools all play each other every season to determine a "Big Five" champion.

This season Temple and La Salle share the title of 2013 "Big Five" champion after the Owls knocked off the Explorers 82-74 last week.

Philadelphia's professional sports teams have struggled as of late, but these five schools always keep the City of Brotherly Love competitive.

Indiana vs. Purdue

The citizens of Indiana love their basketball. This makes the rivalry between the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers a great one.

These two teams bring forth passion every time they meet.

The Hoosiers have won the past four meetings, including two blowout victories this season.

The Boilermakers had won five in a row over Indiana between 2009 and 2011, however.

Many basketball fans may remember Bob Knight throwing a chair on to the floor during a 1985 meeting between Indiana and Purdue.