The best extended weekend of the sports year has come and gone and we must now wait a calendar year for the madness of March to grip us again.

Every year, there are busted brackets and Cinderella stories and last second buzzer beaters. And each year, we act as if we’ve never seen this before.

Syracuse has played a 2-3 zone defense with trapping tendencies for decades. As a fan of the old Big East, I would watch the Orange at least twice a year and the same strategy that’s won in the past works today.

A forward at the hi-post is the ultimate solution; forcing the back line to react to his shot and causing the top guards to look in. This allows shooters to roam and quick passes leads to open shots.

However, despite the prolific scoring capabilities of Arizona State, TCU and Michigan State; they all fell prey to the allure of the 2-3. Passing around the top of the zone, allowing the shot clock to become the 6th defender; then hoisting up a long 3-pointer.

Coached by Tom Izzo, I believed the Spartans would be prepared. Jaren Jackson is a 6-11 highly-recruited freshman that I falsely assumed would live at the hi-post.

Instead Izzo turned to Ben Carter, a 6-9 graduate student who finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. His numbers weren’t as telling as the team stat showing they had 29 offensive rebounds and just 17 actual shots made.

Whether made or not, all shots at the end of they game should be defended. But with the lone exception of Michigan’s game-winner to beat Houston, everyone else seemed to get an open look.

With all the upsets Sunday, the South regional bracket becomes the first of its kind since the NCAA began inviting 64 teams to the Big Dance. The lack of a top seed means Kentucky is favored to reach the Final Four.

But that’s exactly why it could be even harder since all the pressure that wasn’t on them is now squarely painted on their collective backs. A young team that bonded together after a four-game losing streak.

Wildcats coach John Calipari shared that Monday on PTI. He also made a great point. In a bracket full of the winners of proverbial ‘upsets’, those teams are very likely playing their best basketball of the season. Plus, they’ve got nothing to lose and that’s the truth.