One of VCU's biggest rivals, Richmond, is less than 15 minutes away. Another, George Mason, is less than two hours away if you're able to avoid traffic on I-95 N. And this month, the Rams are looking to secure bragging rights over both of them.

VCU and Richmond tipped off the month for another installment of the Capital City Classic, and the Rams knocked the cobwebs off the Spiders, 90-46. However, the Spiders have a chance at redemption on Tuesday, Feb. 25 when they host VCU.

Before the rematch in Robins Center happens, VCU hosts George Mason on Saturday, Feb. 22. We're expecting a barn burner here. The Patriots sit atop the Atlantic 10 Conference at 8-1 and the Rams are just one game behind at 7-2.

So the page is set for schools to write a new chapter in their rivalry history book, but how did it all begin? That's what's on our mind today as we catalog half-of-a-century of contempt between colleges.

VCU vs. Richmond

Nickname: Capital City Classic
Total meetings: 94
All-time record: 61-33 (VCU)

The two schools first met on Jan. 29, 1976 where the Spiders won, 71-65. The teams would face off four more times between then and February 1977, each time ending in a Spiders win.

It seemed the Spiders, who started playing hoops in 1913, were dominating in the rivalry. But VCU, who didn't add college basketball until 1968, quickly turned the tides starting in 1978, winning the next seven straight meetings. That is still the longest win streak in rivalry history today.

Though the teams on the court have remained the same, the name of the rivalry has gone through changes. For many longtime fans, this is the Black & Blue Classic, which was one of many different names over the years. It was changed to the Capital City Classic in 2014.

The Peppas will light up the Siegel Center again this season. | Photo via VCU Athletics

VCU vs. George Mason

Total meetings: 69
All-time record: 47-22 (VCU)

Even though these two teams started roughly around the same time, they didn't actually play each other for the first decade. The Rams eventually traveled to Charlottesville to play the Patriots on Nov. 27, 1981 where they lost 81-68.

Though George Mason landed the first blow, VCU didn't take long to strike back. The Rams went on to win the next four games in the rivalry. And after only winning one game in the next three matchups, the Rams finally set the record straight by winning nine straight games.

The Rams are still experiencing success over the Patriots in the modern day. They are currently on a four-game win streak after winning the last game that happened in 2024.

Stats according to Basketball Reference and each university's online database.