March Madness is a time for upsets, Cinderella stories, and unforgettable moments. The 2005 NCAA Tournament was no exception, with plenty of drama and excitement along the way.
The Favorites
Going into the tournament, there were a few clear favorites to win it all. Duke, with its star-studded roster led by J.J. Redick, was the No. 1 overall seed. North Carolina, with its own talented squad featuring Sean May and Marvin Williams, was the No. 2 seed. And Kansas, with its experienced team led by Wayne Simien, was the No. 3 seed.
The Upsets
But as is often the case in March Madness, the favorites didn’t all live up to expectations. In the first round, No. 15 seed Bucknell upset No. 2 seed Kansas in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. And in the second round, No. 12 seed Bradley upset No. 5 seed Pittsburgh.
The Cinderella Stories
With the favorites falling, the door was open for a Cinderella team to make a run. And that’s exactly what happened with George Mason. The Patriots, a No. 11 seed, stunned the college basketball world by reaching the Final Four. They eventually lost to Florida in the semifinals, but their run remains one of the most memorable in tournament history.
The Championship Game
The championship game featured two of the most storied programs in college basketball history: North Carolina and Illinois. The Tar Heels, led by May and Williams, were the heavy favorites. But the Illini, led by Dee Brown and Deron Williams, played inspired basketball and pulled off the upset, winning 75-70.
The Legacy
The 2005 NCAA Tournament is remembered as one of the most memorable in history. It was a tournament full of upsets, Cinderella stories, and unforgettable moments. And it ended with one of the most unlikely champions in recent memory.
2005 March Madness Bracket
The 2005 March Madness bracket was as follows:
East Region
- No. 1 Duke
- No. 2 North Carolina
- No. 3 Kansas
- No. 4 Michigan State
- No. 5 Pittsburgh
- No. 6 Louisville
- No. 7 Indiana
- No. 8 Xavier
- No. 9 Oklahoma State
- No. 10 UAB
- No. 11 George Mason
- No. 12 Bradley
- No. 13 Air Force
- No. 14 Vermont
- No. 15 Bucknell
- No. 16 Southern
West Region
- No. 1 Illinois
- No. 2 Oklahoma
- No. 3 Cincinnati
- No. 4 St. Joseph’s
- No. 5 Wake Forest
- No. 6 Texas
- No. 7 Wisconsin
- No. 8 Memphis
- No. 9 California
- No. 10 Arizona
- No. 11 Nevada
- No. 12 Pacific
- No. 13 Austin Peay
- No. 14 Penn
- No. 15 Lehigh
- No. 16 Sam Houston State
South Region
- No. 1 Connecticut
- No. 2 Alabama
- No. 3 Syracuse
- No. 4 Mississippi State
- No. 5 Boston College
- No. 6 Florida
- No. 7 Marquette
- No. 8 Louisville
- No. 9 Xavier
- No. 10 St. Mary’s
- No. 11 Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- No. 12 Davidson
- No. 13 South Dakota State
- No. 14 Iona
- No. 15 Prairie View A&M
- No. 16 Holy Cross
Midwest Region
- No. 1 Michigan State
- No. 2 Gonzaga
- No. 3 Kentucky
- No. 4 Louisville
- No. 5 UCLA
- No. 6 Stanford
- No. 7 Notre Dame
- No. 8 Maryland
- No. 9 Purdue
- No. 10 Wichita State
- No. 11 Arizona State
- No. 12 Villanova
- No. 13 Western Michigan
- No. 14 Penn State
- No. 15 Santa Clara
- No. 16 Texas Southern
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks for filling out your March Madness bracket:
- Don’t be afraid to upset pick. Upsets are a part of March Madness, so don’t be afraid to pick a few lower-seeded teams to win.
- Pay attention to the matchups. Not all teams are created equal. Some teams match up well against certain opponents, while others don’t. Make sure to consider the matchups when making your picks.
- Don’t get caught up in the hype. Just because a team is a big name doesn’t mean they’re going to win. Do your research and make your picks based on the facts, not the hype.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when filling out your March Madness bracket:
- Don’t pick too many favorites. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding the top teams, but don’t forget that upsets happen every year.
- Don’t pick too many Cinderella teams. While it’s fun to root for the underdog, don’t get carried away. Only a few Cinderella teams