December’s College Basketball Upsets: 10 Teams Primed for NCAA Tournament Runs
The second weekend of December delivered a thrilling stretch of games, significantly impacting the landscape of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season. Several teams seized opportunities to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes, while others navigated crucial tests. Here’s a look at the 10 programs that benefited the most from the mid-December madness.
Rick Pitino’s Iona Finds Redemption
The Johnnies secured a decisive 91-64 victory over Iona, a game carrying particular weight for head coach Rick Pitino. After a controversial departure from Louisville, Pitino found a lifeline at Iona in 2021, subsequently leading the Gaels to two NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons. “Iona’s got a really good team,” Pitino remarked after the game. “Iona’s such a special place with great tradition. I owe them so much. We’re going to play this game every year that I’m the coach.”
Ohio State Survives a Double-Overtime Thriller
The Buckeyes narrowly avoided a damaging loss to their NCAA Tournament aspirations, staging a remarkable comeback from a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat West Virginia in double overtime. Bruce Thornton emerged as the hero in a game that underscored the importance of December contests in shaping the tournament field. These are the types of games and moments that are easy to gloss over, but often ultimately decide the last teams in or out of the NCAA Tournament.
Oklahoma Keeps Resume Polished in Rivalry Win
Like Ohio State, Oklahoma desperately needed a win to strengthen its early-season resume before entering a challenging conference schedule. The Sooners delivered, exploding for 13 three-pointers in a fourth consecutive victory over Oklahoma State. Conference realignment may have diminished the football rivalry known as “Bedlam,” but the basketball programs are proudly carrying the torch.
Kentucky Avoids a Crisis Moment
Kentucky finally secured a win against a formidable opponent, but perhaps more crucially, averted a loss that could have ignited a firestorm among its passionate fanbase. The Wildcats, previously the most disappointing team in college basketball, faced mounting criticism of head coach Mark Pope’s handling of early adversity. A defeat against a rival would have been particularly devastating.
Dioubate’s Return Sparks Kentucky
Mo Dioubate’s return from injury proved to be a game-changer for Kentucky. The transfer from Alabama contributed 14 points and a season-high 12 rebounds in his first action since November 13th, providing a significant boost to a team in need of a spark.
Boise State Climbs the NET Rankings
The Broncos are steadily recovering from a shocking opening-night loss to a Division-II opponent. Since then, Boise State has secured victories over Wichita State, Butler, and Saint Mary’s, culminating in a 68-67 thriller on Sunday. This win propelled them to No. 39 in the NET Rankings, the second-highest ranking in the Mountain West Conference, trailing only Utah State at No. 30. While the Mountain West is considered down this season, Boise State now has a viable path to an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.
Gonzaga Dominates UCLA
Gonzaga asserted its dominance over UCLA in a late-night matchup in Seattle, with Graham Ike leading the way with 28 points. The victory positions the Zags favorably as they approach their final season in the West Coast Conference, potentially entering conference play with a single defeat. A top national seed and the perennial debate over their championship potential loom large.
Kansas Survives Despite Peterson’s Injury
Despite a concerning injury to star freshman Darryn Peterson, Kansas managed a miraculous overtime victory over NC State. Melvin Council Jr. stepped up with a career-high 36 points, including nine three-pointers, to secure the win. While Peterson’s injury remains a significant concern, the Jayhawks bolstered their non-conference resume with a crucial victory.
Arkansas Makes a Statement in the SEC
Arkansas is making a compelling case as the top team in the SEC, notching its second top-20 win in two weeks with a 93-86 triumph over No. 16 Texas Tech. The victory carried added significance, avenging a painful loss to the Red Raiders in the previous season’s Sweet 16. Trevon Brazile’s continued improvement, highlighted by 24 points and 10 rebounds, was instrumental in the win.
Arizona Unlocks Burries’ Potential
Arizona, already boasting the nation’s best resume, appears to have unlocked the full potential of five-star freshman Brayden Burries. Burries exploded for a career-high 28 points against Alabama, hitting five three-pointers and showcasing his scoring prowess. With this victory, Arizona became the first team in 30 years to secure five wins over AP Top 25 opponents in its first nine games.
Nebraska Achieves Historic Start
Nebrasketball reached unprecedented heights, securing an 11-0 start and arguably the most impressive win of the Fred Hoiberg era with an 83-80 road triumph over No. 13 Illinois. Jamarques Lawrence’s game-winning three-pointer provided a dramatic finish, while Pryce Sandfort contributed a career-high 32 points. With 15 consecutive wins, Nebraska, historically the only power conference program to have never reached the NCAA Tournament, appears poised to finally break that streak.
