Need to lose a game before the tournament? What?

[Shock Therapy]

I had a Louisville fan say it to me too. I kinda felt bad about how I treated him. But then I realized that he was taking what he wanted to happen and rephrasing it to make it sound like he cares about what happens to the Shocks. Then it was just fun.

[SHOXAAC]

Now if you can only get cured from repeating yourself.

With SN'rs like you in my corner...no way!!!

[ABC]

I don't think a loss would make any difference good or bad, so you might as well win them all.

[chicagoshocker]

Rick Pitino was also asked this re: Wichita State and Syracuse last Wednesday (before Syracuse lost to BC that night) on Mike and Mike. His answer was that it basically depended on the mental toughness of the team and that WSU and Syracuse didn't "need" a loss. By contrast, he said one of his Kentucky teams way back when that was continually winning by 30 points did need to lose for a wake up call.

@Rlh04d: I question the "4 games to a regional championship" and then "2 games to a national championship" philosophy. I look at it more like "6 games to a national championship." I kinda feel like we were satisfied with a trip to the Final Four last year. We cut down nets in LA. Louisville didn't cut down any nets until they won it all.

[jocoshock]

Rick Pitino was also asked this re: Wichita State and Syracuse last Wednesday (before Syracuse lost to BC that night) on Mike and Mike. His answer was that it basically depended on the mental toughness of the team and that WSU and Syracuse didn't "need" a loss. By contrast, he said one of his Kentucky teams way back when that was continually winning by 30 points did need to lose for a wake up call.

@Rlh04d: I question the "4 games to a regional championship" and then "2 games to a national championship" philosophy. I look at it more like "6 games to a national championship." I kinda feel like we were satisfied with a trip to the Final Four last year. We cut down nets in LA. Louisville didn't cut down any nets until they won it all.

I say the more nets we cut down the better.. Cut them down in St. Louis, for a second straight FF, and for a first ever NC.

[WuShock16]

Did you think the guys looked satisfied when they had Louisville down 12 midway through the second half...because I wasn't seeing it? Now, I saw a couple bad possessions that led to the lead quickly reducing in half...but I never saw satisfaction.

[I_Vector_Wu]

I believe if they win these final two games, they'll put that 31-0 mark to bed. "Outstanding season, set some records but that's all behind us". Next focus will be winning Arch Madness, motivation is obvious for that one. Next, onto the Dance where all those seasonal accomplishments don't matter, you lose you go home. Your 30 something win record won't help you win the next game (other than the mental toughness aspect maybe). The only downside is the media constantly playing up any any undefeated record that may exist at that time. The team is in this for each other, not chasing some record that the media harps on. I can easily see them handling whatever pressure is directed their way.

[tgcshock]

That "lose one to take the pressure off" thing has really worked out well for Syracuse.

[Shock Therapy]

That "lose one to take the pressure off" thing has really worked out well for Syracuse.

Also Wisconsin, Ohio State, Oregon, and Iowa State. Apparently they were all under a tremendous amount of pressure, because they've all had to lose at least five.

[coran13]

I think part of the reason behind these beliefs is that so few teams have been able to go undefeated that it seems like you almost have to lose one in order to win it all...only because it's statistically so rare to find a team with the potential to go undefeated. "Almost every national champion had losses under their belt!" Well, I bet they would've preferred to not lose any.

What's the phrase that gets tossed around often? "Correlation not causation"? I think that fits with this belief.

[Kung Wu]

The only thing I want to lose is my pants on the dance floor at the post game celebration after winning the National Championship.

[SHOXAAC]

The only thing I want to lose is my pants on the dance floor at the post game celebration after winning the National Championship.

And that's different, how, from your typical post game celebration 29 times this year?

[molly jabali]

Now if you can only get cured from repeating yourself.

made me laugh

[Kung Wu]

And that's different, how, from your typical post game celebration 29 times this year?

Hey, you're a golfer. It's all about the "routine".

[ShockerPrez]

All losing does is let them team know they can be beat.

I think I would just rather have them believe they are unbeatable and losing is not acceptable.