In a surprising turn of events, the NCAA Tournament projections witnessed some major upsets this week as both Arizona and Kentucky suffered unexpected losses. The road has proven to be a challenging battleground for these top teams, highlighting Northwestern's ability to give even the strongest contenders a run for their money.

Northwestern, known for being an inhospitable host when facing formidable opponents, added to their impressive list of victories by defeating Purdue, Dayton, and now, Illinois. Their nail-biting clash against the Illini ended in a thrilling overtime victory of 96-91, solidifying their position as a No. 9 seed in the updated bracket. Illinois, previously holding the No. 3 spot, experienced a setback that left many basketball enthusiasts scratching their heads.

However, it was the Oregon State Beavers who delivered the most shocking upset of the week with a buzzer-beating 83-80 win over Arizona. The Wildcats' trend of losing road games against underdog teams continues to be a cause for concern, as their defeat on Thursday pushed them down from a No. 2 seed to a No. 3 seed in the latest bracket update. Stanford's earlier 100-80 victory over Arizona further emphasizes this disconcerting pattern.

Despite these setbacks, Arizona managed to secure a couple of road victories, including an impressive win against Duke. Interestingly, the Blue Devils themselves fell victim to an upset when Pitt secured a victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium, suggesting that this season has been a rather unpredictable one for college basketball.

Delving further into the bracket, it becomes apparent that only Purdue, UConn, and North Carolina have managed to maintain above .500 records in true road games among the top two lines. The Tar Heels' perfect 4-0 away record, which includes a notable win against Clemson, places them above their counterparts and solidifies their status as formidable contenders.

As basketball fans navigate through this unpredictable season, they are reminded of the ever-changing nature of college basketball. Northwestern's prowess, Oregon State's dramatic buzzer-beater, and the struggles of top-tier teams on the road serve as a testament to the competitiveness inherent in the game. With conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament still on the horizon, it is clear that surprises and upsets are bound to pepper the remainder of the season.