All reasonable approaches. I mean seriously, it's gonna be hard to compete with what happened last year, a year that started with such low expectations. .
You hit the nail on the head.
I think it is human nature to feel better if the expectation are low and the outcome is greater than expected. And it is also natural to feel badly if the expectations are not met.
Take two hypothetical situations. The first team is not expected to make the NCAA's and loses in the second round of the tournament vs. a second team that is expected to win it all and loses in the semis. I would bet a lot more people feel good about the first situation than the second, in spite of the better post season accomplishment for the second team.
Outcomes are only part of the equation. The more important part of the equation is who we are and what we expect. Someone can expect great things but not get overly disappointed if they don't pan out. Another person with great expectations can be devastated by a less than expected outcome. Our nature is the greatest factor in our reactions to events. And this is why many of us play games to minimize disappointment and maximize happiness.
Last season was the perfect season for positive emotions. There were low expectations. Furthermore after the end of the regular season, expectations were still muted. So the eleven game win streak was a shockingly positive sequence of events, resulting in the most important significant accomplishment, winning the national championship.
Those seasons come along very rarely.
Looking forward to whatever comes.
