There’s nothing quite like an NCAA basketball upset. When a low-seeded team takes down a giant, it sends shockwaves through the bracket pools and lives on as college basketball legend. Here, we dive into the top 10 shocking upsets in NCAA history—games that had everyone doing double-takes, throwing their hands up, and wondering if their brackets were even worth the paper they were printed on.

10. Davidson (10) Over Gonzaga (7) – 2008

Davidson was never supposed to make it out of the first round, especially against a seasoned Gonzaga team. But thanks to an unassuming guard named Stephen Curry, Davidson stormed through, stunning the Bulldogs 82-76. Curry’s scoring frenzy didn’t stop there, as he led Davidson on a deep, unexpected run to the Elite Eight. This game became a defining moment, not only for Davidson but for Curry’s career as well.

9. Norfolk State (15) Over Missouri (2) – 2012

Missouri, a top-seeded favorite in 2012, faced a little-known 15-seed in Norfolk State, and no one expected an upset. But the Spartans didn’t just hang in there—they outplayed Missouri in a back-and-forth brawl that ended 86-84. It was an absolute bracket-buster, with Norfolk State’s Kyle O’Quinn dropping 26 points and 14 rebounds, singlehandedly giving Missouri a game they’d rather forget.

8. George Mason (11) Over Connecticut (1) – 2006 Elite Eight

George Mason wasn’t even expected to make the tournament, let alone beat a top-seeded powerhouse like Connecticut. But the Patriots did just that in 2006, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Elite Eight history. This wasn’t just a lucky game—George Mason fought tooth and nail, ending with an epic 86-84 overtime victory and a ticket to the Final Four. UConn never saw it coming, and neither did the rest of the world.

7. Lehigh (15) Over Duke (2) – 2012

Every season, Duke is a team to beat, and in 2012, they were heavily favored against Lehigh. But a determined Lehigh squad, led by C.J. McCollum, wasn’t intimidated. They controlled the pace and outshot the Blue Devils, winning 75-70 and shocking Duke fans everywhere. This loss stung Duke deeply, especially since it came from a team that, on paper, had no business on the same court.

6. Florida Gulf Coast (15) Over Georgetown (2) – 2013

Florida Gulf Coast, a team unknown to most of America, burst onto the scene with a flashy, high-flying style dubbed “Dunk City.” Against a traditional powerhouse like Georgetown, their showtime approach looked more like an All-Star exhibition than an NCAA game. The Eagles’ 78-68 victory was as entertaining as it was surprising, and they kept soaring, eventually reaching the Sweet 16 in one of the tournament’s most improbable runs.

5. Middle Tennessee (15) Over Michigan State (2) – 2016

Michigan State entered the 2016 tournament with championship aspirations. Led by Tom Izzo, they were a well-oiled machine with top-tier talent. But Middle Tennessee, a scrappy 15-seed, threw the Spartans completely off their game, outshooting and outhustling them to an improbable 90-81 win. Middle Tennessee’s players played fearlessly, hitting big shots when it mattered most, and leaving fans everywhere wondering how Michigan State lost so early.

4. Santa Clara (15) Over Arizona (2) – 1993

In 1993, no one thought a 15-seed like Santa Clara could take down a powerhouse like Arizona. After all, Arizona was stacked, and Santa Clara was, well, Santa Clara. But with a young Steve Nash leading the charge, Santa Clara stunned Arizona 64-61. Nash’s steady leadership under pressure kept his team calm in the final minutes, marking the start of his legendary career and one of the most iconic NCAA upsets.

3. Villanova (8) Over Georgetown (1) – 1985 National Championship

The 1985 championship game is the stuff of legend. Villanova faced a seemingly unstoppable Georgetown squad led by Patrick Ewing. Georgetown had steamrolled through the season, but Villanova, the last team to be selected for the tournament, played a nearly perfect game, shooting 78.6% from the field. In a thrilling finish, Villanova edged Georgetown 66-64, capturing a title no one thought possible and delivering an upset that still resonates today.

2. UMBC (16) Over Virginia (1) – 2018

Before 2018, a 16-seed had never beaten a 1-seed. Ever. But the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) wasn’t afraid of making history. They didn’t just beat Virginia—they obliterated them 74-54. UMBC’s defense was relentless, and their offense clicked on all cylinders. Virginia was left dazed and defeated, and UMBC became the Cinderella story of all Cinderella stories.

1. NC State (6) Over Houston (1) – 1983 National Championship

The 1983 championship showdown between NC State and Houston, aka the “Phi Slama Jama” squad, remains the ultimate David vs. Goliath story. Houston had future NBA legends like Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, and their high-flying style was intimidating. But NC State, under the leadership of Jim Valvano, hung around and, with a buzzer-beating dunk, stunned Houston 54-52. Valvano’s celebratory sprint across the court is an iconic moment in college sports, immortalizing NC State’s victory as the greatest upset in NCAA history.

These are the moments that make March Madness must-watch TV. Each of these games was a gut-punch to the favorites and a euphoric win for underdogs everywhere. They’re proof that, in the NCAA tournament, anything can happen—and sometimes, it does.