College basketball fans associate the sport's greatest upsets with March Madness, but some of its most unbelievable results have occurred during the regular season. These games didn't require a Cinderella team to survive an NCAA Tournament bracket or produce a dramatic postseason run. Instead, they featured enormous underdogs defeating nationally prominent opponents during games that were supposed to be relatively straightforward victories for the favorites. Several results were so unexpected that they remain difficult to believe decades later.
The most fascinating regular-season upsets often share several characteristics. The favorite enters with national championship expectations, the underdog arrives with little attention and the game unfolds in a manner almost nobody anticipated. Sometimes the winner produces an extraordinary shooting performance, while other victories depend on defensive execution, late-game composure or a miraculous final possession. Regardless of the circumstances, the results become permanent reminders that college basketball rarely follows a predictable script.
Here are 10 regular-season upsets that deserve a place among the sport's most unforgettable results.
1. Chaminade 77, Virginia 72 (December 23, 1982)
Few college basketball results have ever seemed more unlikely than Chaminade's victory over Virginia in December 1982. The Cavaliers entered the game ranked No. 1 nationally and featured Ralph Sampson, one of the most dominant players in college basketball history. Chaminade was an NAIA program at the time, competing far outside the national spotlight and possessing nowhere near Virginia's established basketball reputation. Nevertheless, the Silverswords produced a remarkable 77-72 victory in Honolulu, creating one of the sport's most extraordinary upsets.
The result was particularly shocking because Virginia wasn't simply a nationally ranked team experiencing a disappointing season. The Cavaliers were legitimate national championship contenders with a superstar capable of dominating opponents on both ends of the floor. Chaminade's victory demonstrated that preparation, confidence and execution could overcome an enormous difference in national reputation. The game became so memorable that it helped establish the tradition of major college basketball programs traveling to Hawaii for early-season competition.
2. Evansville 67, Kentucky 64 (November 12, 2019)
Kentucky entered its November 2019 matchup against Evansville ranked No. 1 nationally and playing at Rupp Arena, one of college basketball's most intimidating home environments. The Wildcats were considered overwhelming favorites against a Missouri Valley Conference opponent that had little national recognition. Evansville, however, refused to follow the expected script and produced a stunning 67-64 victory. The result immediately became one of the biggest regular-season upsets in recent college basketball history.
The Purple Aces received 18 points from K.J. Riley and 17 from Sam Cunliffe, whose late free throws helped secure the victory. Evansville also had an unusual connection to Kentucky because its head coach, Walter McCarty, had played on the Wildcats' 1996 national championship team. The Purple Aces were approximately 25-point underdogs entering the contest, making the result especially remarkable. Their victory demonstrated how quickly national championship expectations can collide with the unpredictability of a single basketball game.
3. Stephen F. Austin 85, Duke 83, overtime (November 26, 2019)
Only two weeks after Evansville stunned Kentucky, another nationally prominent program experienced an equally shocking defeat. Stephen F. Austin traveled to Cameron Indoor Stadium and defeated No. 1 Duke 85-83 in overtime, ending one of the most impressive home winning streaks in college basketball. The Blue Devils had won 150 consecutive nonconference home games, creating an atmosphere in which visiting teams rarely expected to leave with a victory. The Lumberjacks nevertheless produced one of the most dramatic finishes in the building's history.
The decisive play came when Nathan Bain collected a pass following a late turnover and raced down the court for a layup as overtime expired. Stephen F. Austin's victory represented an extraordinary accomplishment against a program known for dominating nonconference opponents at home. The result was especially remarkable because it happened during the same month as Evansville's victory over Kentucky. Together, the two upsets demonstrated that even the nation's highest-ranked teams could be vulnerable during the opening weeks of a season.
4. Notre Dame 71, UCLA 70 (January 19, 1974)
UCLA's 88-game winning streak represented one of the most extraordinary periods of dominance in college basketball history. The Bruins had won seven consecutive national championships and hadn't lost a game in nearly three years when they visited Notre Dame in January 1974. Another victory appeared likely when UCLA established an 11-point lead late in the second half. However, the Fighting Irish produced a remarkable comeback that permanently changed the sport's history.
Notre Dame's defensive pressure helped erase the deficit, setting the stage for Dwight Clay to deliver the decisive basket. Clay connected on a jumper with approximately 21 seconds remaining, giving the Fighting Irish a 71-70 advantage they protected until the final buzzer. The victory ended UCLA's historic streak and demonstrated that even the most dominant dynasty could eventually be defeated. More than five decades later, the result remains one of college basketball's most important regular-season games.
5. Wofford 79, North Carolina 75 (December 20, 2017)
North Carolina entered its December 2017 matchup against Wofford as the defending national champion and the No. 5 team in the country. The Tar Heels had also won 23 consecutive home games, creating an intimidating challenge for a Southern Conference opponent that wasn't expected to compete for a national championship. Wofford nevertheless produced an outstanding performance and earned a 79-75 victory in Chapel Hill. The result represented the program's first victory over a nationally ranked opponent.
Fletcher Magee scored 27 points for the Terriers, who established a lead and refused to surrender it despite North Carolina's repeated comeback attempts. Wofford played with remarkable confidence, demonstrating that the difference in national reputation didn't necessarily determine the outcome. The Terriers also made important free throws during the closing moments to preserve their advantage. Their victory became an important milestone for a program that would continue establishing itself as a dangerous mid-major opponent.
6. NJIT 72, Michigan 70 (December 6, 2014)
Michigan entered its December 2014 matchup against NJIT ranked No. 17 nationally, while the Highlanders arrived with a 2-5 record. The contrast between the programs made the game appear relatively straightforward, particularly because Michigan was playing at home. NJIT, however, delivered an extraordinary shooting performance and stunned the Wolverines 72-70. The result became one of the most surprising victories in the Highlanders' basketball history.
NJIT connected on 11 of 17 three-point attempts, shooting nearly 65 percent from beyond the arc. Damon Lynn scored 20 points, while the Highlanders received important contributions from several teammates. Michigan's Caris LeVert scored 32 points, but his outstanding individual performance wasn't enough to overcome NJIT's offensive efficiency. The victory demonstrated how an underdog can dramatically change a game by making shots at an exceptional rate.
7. Rutgers 70, Purdue 68 (December 9, 2021)
Purdue had just reached No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for the first time in program history when it visited Rutgers in December 2021. The Boilermakers entered undefeated and appeared capable of continuing their strong start against a Scarlet Knights team that had already experienced several early-season losses. Rutgers, however, refused to allow Purdue to control the game and remained within striking distance throughout the second half. The contest ultimately produced one of the most memorable finishes in Big Ten history.
With Rutgers trailing late, Ron Harper Jr. connected on a remarkable three-pointer from just inside half court as time expired. The shot gave the Scarlet Knights a 70-68 victory and their first win over a No. 1-ranked opponent. Harper finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds, producing an outstanding individual performance before delivering the decisive basket. The victory demonstrated how one extraordinary shot can transform an ordinary December conference game into a moment remembered for generations.
8. Chicago State 75, Northwestern 73 (December 13, 2023)
Chicago State entered its December 2023 matchup against Northwestern with a 3-9 record and little national attention. The Cougars were facing a No. 25 Wildcats team that had established itself as a competitive Big Ten program, making the contest appear to favor Northwestern considerably. Chicago State nevertheless produced one of the most memorable victories in school history, defeating the Wildcats 75-73 in Evanston. The result became an extraordinary accomplishment for a program that had experienced considerable struggles during previous seasons.
Wesley Cardet Jr. delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 30 points and helping Chicago State maintain its composure during the closing minutes. The Cougars repeatedly answered Northwestern's attempts to take control, demonstrating impressive confidence against a nationally ranked opponent. Chicago State also ended a lengthy losing streak against the Wildcats, making the victory particularly meaningful for the program. The result provided another reminder that a team's overall record doesn't always reflect its ability to produce one outstanding performance.
9. Bellarmine 67, Louisville 66 (November 9, 2022)
Louisville's 2022-23 season began with an unexpected result that immediately raised questions about the Cardinals' direction. Bellarmine traveled across the city to face its more prominent neighbor and earned a 67-66 victory at the KFC Yum! Center. The Knights had only recently transitioned to Division I basketball, making the opportunity to defeat an established ACC program particularly significant. Their victory represented a remarkable accomplishment against a school with a considerably longer history of national prominence.
Bellarmine received 21 points from Garrett Tipton and produced enough offensive efficiency to maintain its advantage throughout the closing moments. Louisville attempted to rally, but the Cardinals couldn't complete the comeback despite several opportunities during the final possessions. The result immediately became one of the most memorable victories in Bellarmine's early Division I history. It also demonstrated that a program's historical reputation provides little protection when an opponent executes more effectively during a particular game.
10. Butler 101, Villanova 93 (December 30, 2017)
Villanova entered its December 2017 matchup against Butler ranked No. 1 nationally and established as one of college basketball's most consistent programs. The Wildcats had won the 2016 national championship and were building another team capable of competing for the title. Butler, however, delivered an extraordinary offensive performance at Hinkle Fieldhouse and defeated Villanova 101-93. The victory represented another memorable moment in the Bulldogs' tradition of challenging nationally prominent opponents.
Butler's offensive execution made the result particularly impressive because Villanova was accustomed to controlling games through disciplined defense and efficient possessions. The Bulldogs repeatedly created quality scoring opportunities and maintained their confidence against the country's highest-ranked team. Villanova would eventually win the 2018 national championship, making Butler's regular-season victory even more interesting in retrospect. The game demonstrated that defeating an elite opponent doesn't necessarily require an unusual defensive performance when an underdog can execute at an exceptional offensive level.
What makes regular-season upsets so unforgettable?
The most memorable regular-season upsets often occur when the favorite appears to have every conceivable advantage. National rankings, home-court atmosphere, experienced players and established coaching staffs can create expectations that a game should be decided comfortably. However, those advantages don't eliminate the possibility of an extraordinary performance from an opponent. College basketball's history repeatedly demonstrates that preparation, confidence and execution can overcome enormous differences in reputation.
These 10 games also illustrate how different circumstances can produce remarkable results. Some required miraculous final possessions, while others involved dominant shooting performances or the ability to maintain composure against a relentless comeback. Several victories changed how fans viewed the winning programs, while others became defining moments in the history of the defeated favorites. The common theme is that each result challenged expectations in a way that continues to make the sport fascinating.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, college basketball fans will undoubtedly identify games that appear to have obvious winners. History suggests that at least a few of those predictions will eventually look ridiculous. Somewhere on the upcoming schedule, another underdog is preparing for an opportunity that could become the biggest victory in program history. These 10 results provide a reminder that the next unforgettable upset doesn't have to wait until March.
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