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5 Upsets That Will Happen in College Basketball This Weekend

By Alexander Wildes

NCAA basketball is an upset-filled sport. With top teams missing players, not having adequate levels of cohesion, or just not living up to expectations, underdog teams can come into a basketball powerhouse's building and steal a win from the higher-ranked team. These are the five most exciting upsets that will happen in college basketball this weekend.

5. Kansas at Texas

Kansas will be upset by Texas on Saturday.
Kansas will be upset by Texas on Saturday. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Texas has been criminally underrated this year . While they are only 2-2 in their conference, they are 8-1 at home, where they will play on Saturday. While the Jayhawks have Devon Dotson averaging 18 points and carrying the majority of the load, the Longhorns have a wider array of more consistent scorers, who can each give the team 10-to-15 points a game. With their 25th-ranked defense in the country focusing on Dotson, look for Texas lock down the Jayhawks' top players while having a myriad of scorers leading their team to victory.

4. Louisville at Duke

Duke vs Louisville will be a very competitive game between the two ACC schools.
Duke vs Louisville will be a very competitive game between the two ACC schools. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Louisville and Duke are tied for first in the ACC with a record of 5-1 in the conference. However, due to Duke's high-powered offense led by Vernon Carey and Tre Jones (17 and 15 points, respectively), they are ranked third in the nation, while Louisville is just 11th. With Louisville's stifling 32nd-ranked defense, and a 20-point scorer in Jordan Nwora, (44% from 3) look for them to come in and slow down Duke's sixth-ranked offense and show off some of their own incredible 3-point shooting ability. Fresh off a loss at Clemson, they could be catching the Blue Devils at the right time.

3. Cal at UCLA

With UCLA freefalling, Cal will take advantage
With UCLA freefalling, Cal will take advantage / Katharine Lotze/Getty Images

UCLA started off the season well, but has lost six of their last seven games to approach Cal's level. On the opposite side of the equation, the Bears have won two straight games against two teams that UCLA has fallen to during their losing streak. With no one star for UCLA (only one player over 10 PPG), look for sophomore Matt Bradley (17.7 PPG) and Cal to come in and maintain the same energy and lockdown defense they have had in the last few games to steal the win from UCLA.

2. Colorado at Arizona

While Allonzo Trier may be long gone, Nico Mannion has filled in quite nicely.
While Allonzo Trier may be long gone, Nico Mannion has filled in quite nicely. / Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Colorado has a better record in the Pac-12 conference, but Arizona has home court advantage and more star power in this matchup, and this could be the jumpstart they need to hit the rankings. Led by freshmen Nico Mannion, Josh Green, and Zeke Nnaji (combined 43.8 PPG, 15.6 RPG and 9.4 APG), the Wildcats' youngsters and the team's overall ball movement should help lift them over Colorado.

1. Kentucky at Arkansas

Arkansas has improved significantly since last year.
Arkansas has improved significantly since last year. / Andy Lyons/Getty Images

While Arkansas and Kentucky are tied in the SEC for second place, Arkansas is unranked in the country with a 14-2 record, while Kentucky is a ranked at 10th with a 12-4 record. Arkansas has a better point differential than Kentucky, and their top three scorers (Isaiah Joe, Mason Jones and Jimmy Whitt, all above 14 PPG) average more than anyone else on Kentucky. Also, Arkansas is playing at home. Need I say more?