1.Arkansas (10) over St. John’s (2) (75-66)
Upset level: Huge. Arkansas beating a #2 seed in St. John’s is a major shock, especially in the Round of 32. Arkansas was a 10-seed, and this type of upset is significant because of how much higher St. John’s was seeded.
Game quality: Solid. A 9-point win is comfortable, but this was a dominant performance for Arkansas, and the magnitude of the upset overshadows the score.
Why it’s first: This is the most shocking of all the upsets and one of the biggest surprises in the tournament, given the high expectations for a #2 seed.
2. McNeese (12) over Clemson (5) (69-67)
Upset level: Big. McNeese taking out a #5 seed is a major surprise, especially by just two points.
Game quality: Close. It was a nail-biting, tense game, which makes it memorable.
Why it’s second: McNeese beating a #5 seed by a couple of points is a classic Cinderella moment, and while the significance isn’t as huge as Arkansas over St. John’s, it’s still a major upset.
3. BYU (6) over Wisconsin (3) (91-89)
Upset level: Significant. BYU knocking off a #3 seed is a pretty big surprise, especially considering Wisconsin had a strong season.
Game quality: Extremely exciting. A two-point game, high-scoring, and close throughout.
Why it’s third: The back-and-forth nature and the narrow margin make it a memorable game, even though the upset itself isn’t as surprising as Arkansas over St. John’s.
4. Michigan (5) over Texas A&M (4) (91-79)
Upset level: Moderate. A 5 vs. 4 seed matchup isn’t huge, but Michigan coming out on top by a solid margin makes it notable.
Game quality: Very good. Michigan dominated the game with a 12-point win, which was more than expected for a 5 vs. 4 game.
Why it’s fourth: While not as big an upset as others, Michigan’s dominance in this one makes it noteworthy.
5. Arkansas (10) over Kansas (7) (79-72)
Upset level: Moderate. Arkansas over Kansas isn’t the craziest, but the difference in seeding makes it notable.
Game quality: Solid. Arkansas had a good performance, and they held a comfortable lead in this one.
Why it’s fifth: The fact that Arkansas beat a team with more talent and a higher seed is notable, but not as shocking as others.
6. Colorado State (12) over Memphis (5) (78-70)
Upset level: Big. Colorado State over Memphis is a notable upset, with Memphis being a higher seed and a more established program.
Game quality: Solid. A strong performance from Colorado State, who controlled the game for most of the contest.
Why it’s sixth: While still significant, it’s a bit overshadowed by some of the other higher-profile upsets.
7. Baylor (9) over Mississippi State (8) (75-72)
Upset level: Small. A 9 vs. 8 seed isn’t the biggest upset, but it’s still noteworthy for the fact that Baylor pulled it off.
Game quality: Close. A tight 3-point win for Baylor, which made for an interesting game but wasn’t particularly dramatic.
Why it’s seventh: The 9-8 matchup doesn’t carry the same level of shock as the others, but still worth mentioning.
8. Drake (11) over Missouri (6) (67-57)
Upset level: Moderate. Drake taking down a #6 seed is a significant surprise, but it’s not as shocking as some of the others.
Game quality: A bit more defensive-minded. The 10-point margin was enough for Drake to secure the win, but it wasn’t a particularly thrilling game.
Why it’s eighth: This upset is notable but not as exciting or as big an upset as the others listed higher.
9. Creighton (9) over Louisville (8) (89-75)
Upset level: Small. A 9-8 matchup isn’t a huge upset, and Creighton handling Louisville comfortably is significant, but not shocking.
Game quality: Great. Creighton dominated, with a solid 14-point victory.
Why it’s ninth: While this was an impressive performance, it was not a major shock in terms of seeding.
10. New Mexico (10) over Marquette (7) (75-66)
Upset level: Moderate. A #10 seed beating a #7 is an upset, but it’s not earth-shattering.
Game quality: Solid. A 9-point win for New Mexico, which was fairly controlled.
Why it’s tenth: While it was a notable win, it didn’t carry the same level of surprise or excitement as other upsets in this list.
11. Ole Miss (6) over Iowa State (3) (91-78)
Upset level: Major. Ole Miss knocking out a 3-seed is one of the biggest upsets in the Round of 64.
Game quality: Excellent. Ole Miss delivered a dominant performance, taking control early and never looking back.
Why it’s eleventh: Despite being a big upset, the performance by Ole Miss was so dominant that it’s hard to be overly shocked by it, especially given the context of the SEC’s success in this tournament.
12. Arkansas (10) over Kansas (7) (79-72)
Upset level: Moderate. Arkansas over Kansas isn’t the craziest, but the difference in seeding makes it notable.
Game quality: Solid. Arkansas had a good performance, holding a comfortable lead for much of the game. While Kansas made a few pushes, Arkansas stayed in control and finished strong.
Why it’s 12th: While it was a notable win for Arkansas, it didn’t carry the same level of surprise or excitement as some of the other upsets. The margin of victory wasn’t as large, and the shock factor wasn’t as high as in some of the bigger upsets in the tournament.
