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Message: [QUOTE="diggerfoot, post: 4521549, member: 1673"] The trouble repeatedly stated in the article is mental fatigue, with an emphasis by Edwards that their bodies are conditioned for the grind. The possible consequence cited is the mental fatigue catching up with them come tournament time. I’ve been a little cowardly about this topic. As an endurance athlete I wanted to chime in that the issue is not physical fatigue, but did not want to appear to be insensitive in contradicting those who claim it is. I know the human body to be capable of conditioning that exceeds what basketball players experience, but the difference is that for most true endurance sports the mind can go on autopilot for long stretches. For a basketball player there must be enduring mental focus and conditioning that is at least as important as the physical. Mental fatigue is why there are trap games, lulls in the season and clearly superior pro teams that sweep every playoffs yet lose during the regular season. In our case the constant injuries contributes mightily to mental fatigue. Which brings me to 2018 Notre Dame once again. Why did not mental fatigue trip them up in the tournament? Adrenaline in large part, with a little assist from cortisol, as well as dopamine and other hormones. The tournament presents an atmosphere that hormonally rejuvenates the mind. There may be other reasons why previous injuries will cause us to fall short at the end of the year, but otherwise I have been impressed with the spirit and mental toughness of this squad and think that will serve them well come tournament time. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach