Need to lose a game before the tournament? What?

[kcshocker11]

Can anyone please explain this logic to me? I've had numerous people tell me this in the last 2 weeks

[wufan]

Can anyone please explain this logic to me? I've had numerous people tell me this in the last 2 weeks

Their logic, flawed as it is, says that there is too much pressure to continue to play undefeated and that losing the game will alleviate that pressure. Additionally, some weak-minded squads require the rude awakening of a loss to an inferior team in order to refocus. By listening to just one FVV interview this year, one could easily tell that a loss is not required for this team to maintain focus. Mission not yet accomplished.

[WuDrWu]

It's one things to not like to lose. I imagine most of us that competed in sports growing up, didn't like to lose. I played a lot of team and individual sports until I was out of college, then I coached for awhile. I hated to lose. To this day I hate to lose in golf, cards, poker....anything where a winner and a loser can be calculated.

Most competitors hate to lose. But most competitors don't turn that hate into preparation. And most who do turn that into preparation, don't make preparation more difficult than the competition. These guys prepare like nobody I've ever seen, and it's year around. They pay the price to garner the success. They deserve it, and they don't need to lose to remind themselves of that and to get better.

[Rlh04d]

I think this team has already had their "refocus" moments without having to lose. They've had scares (Missouri State) and poor games (home vs Loyola) that seemed to snap them back to normal.

After watching them play last night, I don't think they need anything right now to be focused. They're staring at the finish line and they're hungry.

It's two games to an undefeated season. Then it's three games to the first MVC Tournament Championship since 1987. Then it's four games to an NCAA Regional Championship. And then it's two games to an NCAA National Championship. Four mini-seasons left, and I don't see them losing focus for any of those.

[Shock Therapy]

This is just something that people tell themselves to make them feel better about a loss. Which is fine, even if it doesn't help most of the time. Once you have a loss it doesn't really hurt anything. It's when people start to preemptively apply this philosophy that it ceases to make sense. It's a loser philosophy. I have been forced to explain to several friends and coworkers why they were losers for saying that we need a loss. It did not go over well.

[shocksrbest]

It's one things to not like to lose. I imagine most of us that competed in sports growing up, didn't like to lose. I played a lot of team and individual sports until I was out of college, then I coached for awhile. I hated to lose. To this day I hate to lose in golf, cards, poker....anything where a winner and a loser can be calculated.

Most competitors hate to lose. But most competitors don't turn that hate into preparation. And most who do turn that into preparation, don't make preparation more difficult than the competition. These guys prepare like nobody I've ever seen, and it's year around. They pay the price to garner the success. They deserve it, and they don't need to lose to remind themselves of that and to get better.

Thank you for this post...Their preparation and mind set as a team is the same as our coach--I hate to lose. Lose is a four-letter word in my vocabulary and I don't speak such wordage. This team--and coach--are tough, resilient and hate to lose. They are in it to win it and they have a great shot at doing so.

[Bluzrover]

Thank you for this post...Their preparation and mind set as a team is the same as our coach--I hate to lose. Lose is a four-letter word in my vocabulary and I don't speak such wordage. This team--and coach--are tough, resilient and hate to lose. They are in it to win it and they have a great shot at doing so.

Yeah, that was a question I believe Wilbon posed to Marshall on PTI and his response was, "I don't coach to lose." Or something to that effect. It was the right answer.

Speaking of that, did you see how he gathered the team at the end of last night's game? Definitely looked like he was reminding them they still had work to do. Love 3G!

[SB Shock]

Can anyone please explain this logic to me? I've had numerous people tell me this in the last 2 weeks

why don't you call into the coaches show and ask him that question yourself?

Next ask him about free throw shooting and what play does he call when he wants to run the shot clock out down and not get a shot -- he loves those questions.

[forevershockerfan]

Yes, as mentioned in the prediction thread, a guy told me we actually just need a loss before the Dance. Does a loss have some kind of social redeeming value that I am aware of? Can't we just benefit by learning and moving forward with lessons we glean from winning just as easy? We want to go undefeated this Season and get the Lew monkey off our back thereafter. Then we want to prove the cynics wrong and Dance skillfully and often with the stars, even into April as last Season.

Once we get to the Dance, it is the best of the best to compete against. The first round might not be bad although it could be if a team is sizzlin hot like we were last Season. From that point on, the teams get so very good that it takes our A game, a good bracket, tip-top execution, and maybe some breaks along the way. That's why they play the game between the lines and madness will be sure to ensue.

Right now, let's just beat Bradley.

[SHOXAAC]

I have to admit having a weak moment about a month ago. I was concerned that being 34-0 entering the tourny would create too much pressure to perform, because the media would change their focus from WSU being a nice undefeated story to their fraudulent because of their weak schedule and conference affiliation.

Good news SN...I'm cured. This team has proved its toughness, team chemistry, leadership, quality coaching, willingness to succeed in the face of objectors. If and when the time comes for this group to not play its 40th game of the year, it won't be due to any outside bogus pressure to perform. It will be the other team played their best game of the year at the right time to beat a great team.

[SHOXAAC]

I have to admit having a weak moment about a month ago. I was concerned that being 34-0 entering the tourny would create too much pressure to perform, because the media would change their focus from WSU being a nice undefeated story to their fraudulent because of their weak schedule and conference affiliation.

Good news SN...I'm cured. This team has proved its toughness, team chemistry, leadership, quality coaching, willingness to succeed in the face of objectors. If and when the time comes for this group to not play its 40th game of the year, it won't be due to any outside bogus pressure to perform. It will be the other team played their best game of the year at the right time to beat a great team.

[FlyingWheat]

I just love the contrast of "you need to lose a game" and "undefeated isn't good enough."

[jocoshock]

It's one things to not like to lose. I imagine most of us that competed in sports growing up, didn't like to lose. I played a lot of team and individual sports until I was out of college, then I coached for awhile. I hated to lose. To this day I hate to lose in golf, cards, poker....anything where a winner and a loser can be calculated.

Most competitors hate to lose. But most competitors don't turn that hate into preparation. And most who do turn that into preparation, don't make preparation more difficult than the competition. These guys prepare like nobody I've ever seen, and it's year around. They pay the price to garner the success. They deserve it, and they don't need to lose to remind themselves of that and to get better.

I would not have believed this if I had not seen this from our coach and team. Look around at all of the "better" teams wilting in February. We are getting stronger. Can't wait until March.

[1979Shocker]

I have to admit having a weak moment about a month ago. I was concerned that being 34-0 entering the tourny would create too much pressure to perform, because the media would change their focus from WSU being a nice undefeated story to their fraudulent because of their weak schedule and conference affiliation.

Good news SN...I'm cured. This team has proved its toughness, team chemistry, leadership, quality coaching, willingness to succeed in the face of objectors. If and when the time comes for this group to not play its 40th game of the year, it won't be due to any outside bogus pressure to perform. It will be the other team played their best game of the year at the right time to beat a great team.

Now if you can only get cured from repeating yourself.

[ShockerFever]

It's just something jealous KU fans have been floating around because they can't stand our undefeated mark.