Some observations from the Sweet-16, Elite-8 weekend of the 2005 NCAA tournament:

• I’m an ACC fan, but basically I have to admit that the Big-10 waxed them when it really counted.  Of course the ACC has won the December show-downs every year they’ve had it, which is like winning during the NFL pre-season.
• I don’t think the Big-10’s success is a coincidence.  In general the Big-10 teams played with more deliberate offensive schemes and their defenses held up well against the superior offensive talent of their opponents.  This was very clear in clutch situations when teams like Duke, NC State and Arizona resorted to one-on-one clear outs while the Big-10 teams all seemed to have the ability to stay in their offense no matter what the situation.
• Word Association: West Virginia – Minor Choke; Arizona – Garphrezaaakerageckaaaaaack!
• Is it easier to count the number of games that DIDN’T go to overtime this year?

Hopefully the final four will live up to this last weekend, but unfortunately that usually doesn’t happen.  Good regionals=lame final four.  Fire up the TIVO!