On Pressure

[Jeff H]

Interesting article from ESPNw. I'm amazed at how this team never seems to get rattled by anything. Probably due to three seniors and great coaching.

UConn remains calm in pursuit of four-peat

 

[Plebe]

The most interesting part of that article, to me, was Kellie Harper's recollections about her senior season at Tennessee, which ended in an upset loss to Duke in the Elite 8. About how she and her teammates had been wanted to just fast-forward to the championship game, rather than going through the process of improving game by game.

 

[OldAlum]

But I cant take the pressure!
I am really nervous for a game the experts have UConn winning by 24 points with a 97% chance of winning! I guess it is because I want it for them so much.
I was wondering how I would survive next season when things will be more competitive. Then I decided that I would be okay since the expectations will not be as stratospheric.

 

[UcMiami]

OldAlum - very well stated - my feelings exactly. I lived and died with the wins and losses in the 'dark ages' of 2005-2009 but it was always hoped for success and not expected success.

Geno himself talks about his psychology of being an underdog and figuring out ways to win vs being top dog and fearing all the ways he can lose.

 

[Jim R]

Well written article, and Sanderson says it all, "When you're as good as UConn is, you expect to win, right? But you also have to hate to lose so much that you'll do everything right and make the sacrifices."
The greats (Jordan epitomized it) have always hated losing as much, or more than winning. And, its hating to lose on every possession, or challenge. As long as the hunger is there, success likely follows.

 

[borninansonia]

I agree with you old alum.

I have not been able to watch the last two games, and I've been unable to not watch them. I put the tv on, Stewie foul, I turn it off. On and off, until they have an insurmountable lead. Next year will be so much easier on my nerves.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I will be recording tonight's game and pacing (as is my ritual in big games). I may or may not tune in based on my heart rate at the time. I was just diagnosed with a bum ticker...lol

 

[huskyd]

Oh, the humanity! These posts bring up so many shared feelings of trepidation. I worry that we're over-invested in this program in general and this team in particular. It helps me a lot to see the UConn women smiling and laughing before a game. It helps to see the calm way in which the Huskies handle what little adversity comes their way. It helps to reflect on the bigger issues of the day and to realize how relatively few out there in the real world give a hoot about the score of a basketball game. It helps to think that the baseball season has begun (hope springs eternal), the women's national soccer team is in action again soon, and the Olympics in Brazil should be enjoyable this summer. It helps to think ahead to the challenges of next season for the Huskies. It all helps--but not much and never enough. (What I do when I'm stressed is turn off the sound . . . I, too, have thought of recording the game and watching it when it's over, but that seems disloyal. If the women have to run the gauntlet in real time, so must I. )

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Interesting article from ESPNw. I'm amazed at how this team never seems to get rattled by anything. Probably due to three seniors and great coaching.

UConn remains calm in pursuit of four-peat

Mike & Mike had Doris Burke on (by phone) this morning and Doris dealt with this pressure -or lack thereof - issue. I'll mess it up a bit, but the core of it - and it does not really explain it - is that when someone joins the Huskies it is like they enter a bubble and all the noise just falls away.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I worry that we're over-invested in this program in general and this team in particular.

Don't worry for me huskyd. I am content to be an over-invested groupie of the Huskies. I use to be into NFL, MLB and the NBA, but as commercialism has soared, with players/rosters changing like socks, along came UConn and WCB to rescue me from my discontent and disaffection.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

I agree with you old alum.

I have not been able to watch the last two games, and I've been unable to not watch them. I put the tv on, Stewie foul, I turn it off. On and off, until they have an insurmountable lead. Next year will be so much easier on my nerves.

I will be recording tonight's game and pacing (as is my ritual in big games). I may or may not tune in based on my heart rate at the time. I was just diagnosed with a bum ticker...lol

You guys need professional help. You know the kind where you lie down on the sofa and tell him your inner most feelings. or maybe some strong medication. LOL

 

[bags27]

The last thing I want to do is to feel or make anyone else feel calm. Calm is bad; it's complacency, and we all know that only the scared and nervous win.

BUT: the truly great thing about UConn is the defense. It is smothering. Yes, a great shooting team (like ND) can suddenly be even greater, and therefore if our shots don't fall, they could win. But Syracuse is NOT a great shooting team: it is a frequent shooting team. So, even if our shots don't fall, playing the best defense we know how will go a long, long way. Of course, I'm not saying it would go long enough for a win, because I'd never say that.....

 

[GoUconn7961]

You guys need professional help. You know the kind where you lie down on the sofa and tell him your inner most feelings. or maybe some strong medication. LOL

I think vodka will work for me...lol