Rivalries
Through 2009, Massachusetts and the Rhode Island Rams have played over 130 times and at least once a year every year since 1950. The Atlantic 10 regularly pairs UMass and URI in a home-and-home series each season.
Starting in 1995, Massachusetts and Boston College played annually for the Commonwealth Cup, in the "Commonwealth Classic". Following the 2011-2012 season (in which UMass defeated the Eagles 82-46 in Chestnut Hill), Boston College abruptly terminated the series and canceled their return trip to Amherst in late 2012.
UMass and Temple had an intense rivalry in the 1990s, during which time the schools were coached by John Calipari and John Chaney. The two coaches had to be restrained from each other during a 3-overtime game in 1990. After a game in 1994, Chaney charged at Calipari during a post-game press conference, and in front of reporters and television cameras, threatened to kill Calipari.
From 1996-2005, Massachusetts and Connecticut played in the "Mass Mutual U-Game," a reference to the two schools' nicknames, UMass and UConn, respectively. UConn won nine of the ten games. UMass won the 2004 game, in which the Huskies were the defending national champions.
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