On the one hand, we should be honored to be placed into this rivalry, if you based it solely on the most recent 3 games between us... last year was the first time we were competitive until the end of a game with them. That having been said, it is obvious to us and the sentiment is growing fast out there in the college basketball community at large that Dan Hurley and staff have us on the fast track to being top-level competitive and nationally-relevant again.
How good will it feel to have a real rivalry again? Not some made up B.S. with the leprechaun (who I did dislike because of his whiny persona, but not because he has ever proven to be a championship coach) and his boring-ass style of basketball at Cincinnati?... and a team that still hasn't gotten out of the first freaking weekend of the tournament!
No... this will be a real rivalry again, with a multi-National Championship coach who has proven to be a winner when it counts the most. Just like in the mid-80's/early-90's we were fighting to get to the top of a mountain of worthy opponents, with coaching legends like John Thompson, Louie Carnesecca, Rollie Massimino, and yes, even the noise picker Boeheim (but back then he was bringing in Top 10 talent every year and they were almost always a 1, 2 or 3 seed in the tournament).
WE have to prove worthy to be part of this rivalry. Which I believe wholeheartedly we are in the process of re-creating a program that will do just that, long term. Feels so good! BRING IT ON, BABY!