Rooting for a Loss?

[GrizLA]

Tough call. But I'm inclined to say yes. Two main reasons.

First, (and I'd like some help from the math and science whizzes on this board), the probability of us sweeping the conference and the tournament is extremely low. But correspondingly the probability of us suffering a loss somewhere along the line is quite high. Would you rather take that loss in conference, where it really no longer matters, since our seeding has pretty much been determined, or in the tournament, where a loss would be devastating?

Second, let me remind you again, as I did in another thread, that n-o-t-h-i-n-g that happens right now means ANYTHING. We can gloat over DeCuire being the fastest to 50 wins, or the first team to win seven road games, or the incredible statistical discrepancies this team is piling up against our opponents, or the the undefeated record, or the KenPom ratings. I'm more than guilty of exalting over these accomplishments.

But in the end, none of it matters--unless we win it all. To accomplish what we have so far has taken incredible desire and intensity from this team. I'd hate to see them spend it all on a regular season schedule that in the end, means...nothing. That's why the Warriors no longer chase the record for most wins. Because when they did, at an incredible cost of focus and intensity during the regular season, they lost in the playoffs.

If we do sustain this undefeated pace, I'm hoping that in the final regular season game, DeCuire sits his starters. Gives the deep bench some playing time. Because remember, the regular season no longer counts. And nowhere will that message be driven home harder than the morning after a loss in the tournament.

Pretty sure the Griz players don't agree with your assessment. They play to win. Something not often seen at UM who oftentimes has a "well, we almost beat UCLA"......40 years ago.

 

[AZGrizFan]

let me remind you again, as I did in another thread, that n-o-t-h-i-n-g that happens right now means ANYTHING.

And from another perspective, isn't it interesting that from an etymological point of view, that is to say, the origin of a word that is defined as that that also denotes the 'true meaning' of the word, that the stem of the word 'competition' is 'to seek together' (com-, 'together,' + petere, 'to seek.') What is sought by teams in competition? V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!! Each and every time you're in a competitive sport with another team, like throughout all of history, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y is what has been sought. Whether the 'game' of basketball, football, or even the Olympics. And throughout all of it there is the 'game' and 'rules' that are one and the same. It's what makes it what it is. That's what gives it value.

So don't tell me a or anyone else, especially the persons involved, that all they've ever done is useless and worthless in your eyes, Mister citay.
I'd like to see you say so that to their faces. That everything they've ever done in any field of competition is meaningless by your adjudicating some intangible, heretofore 'not happened as of yet but maybe sometime down the line' mere possibility contingent on some 'what if.' You get there by doing in the present; plain and simple. And quit insulting the competition by saying that everything they've ever done is worthless as well; yet alone insulting them by your deliberate losing to them notion. If you want to belly up, do so on your own time.

if you ain't got the guts to show up then don't sound off like some infantile chest pounder striving to draw attention to himself with your no better than sitting in front of some boop tube mentality drinking your zuds sounding off time after time that you've never put any thought into rhetorical nonsense that hasn't passed the first cycle of the wash as of yet.

The Peter Principle caught up to you, Mister Water Boy.

:lol: :lol:

Summa Donna, kiddo.

 

[zengriz]

...say hell flippn' no to that...
...even though you might get your wish...
...next four games are going to be a hell of a ride...

... ...

 

[AZDoc]

...say hell flippn' no to that...
...even though you might get your wish...
...next four games are going to be a hell of a ride...

... ...

I'd say try to kick everyone's azz! Just my view. It's not like they haven't had adversity in some of the wins. Sports Psychology is an interesting thing, and I've had to study some of that in my Sports Medicine training. Truth of the matter is that, yes, there is some "psych" issues with being undefeated or whatever the case. Most of the time, though, the players and coaches really do want to win every game and adversity gained throughout the process gets them through. Teams that kill everyone (i.e. UNLV in the 90s) encounter adversity for the first time and don't know how to react. This team does and see no reason to have a "good loss". If they lose, they lose. As zen says, it's going to be a ride here real soon. If they get through it without an L, they will know what to do when the time comes in the BSC tourney. Just my opinion...

 

[citygriz]

let me remind you again, as I did in another thread, that n-o-t-h-i-n-g that happens right now means ANYTHING.

And from another perspective, isn't it interesting that from an etymological point of view, that is to say, the origin of a word that is defined as that that also denotes the 'true meaning' of the word, that the stem of the word 'competition' is 'to seek together' (com-, 'together,' + petere, 'to seek.') What is sought by teams in competition? V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!! Each and every time you're in a competitive sport with another team, like throughout all of history, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y is what has been sought. Whether the 'game' of basketball, football, or even the Olympics. And throughout all of it there is the 'game' and 'rules' that are one and the same. It's what makes it what it is. That's what gives it value.

So don't tell me a or anyone else, especially the persons involved, that all they've ever done is useless and worthless in your eyes, Mister citay.
I'd like to see you say so that to their faces. That everything they've ever done in any field of competition is meaningless by your adjudicating some intangible, heretofore 'not happened as of yet but maybe sometime down the line' mere possibility contingent on some 'what if.' You get there by doing in the present; plain and simple. And quit insulting the competition by saying that everything they've ever done is worthless as well; yet alone insulting them by your deliberate losing to them notion. If you want to belly up, do so on your own time.

if you ain't got the guts to show up then don't sound off like some infantile chest pounder striving to draw attention to himself with your no better than sitting in front of some boop tube mentality drinking your zuds sounding off time after time that you've never put any thought into rhetorical nonsense that hasn't passed the first cycle of the wash as of yet.

The Peter Principle caught up to you, Mister Water Boy.

Yo Wyoming! I've seen a hissyfit. I've seen a shitfit. This is my first etymologicalfit!

Pretty impressive the way you cherry pick a five paragraph post, move swiftly to self-righteous indignation, and wind up name-calling. Have you tried cable news?

Actually, I agree with some of your points. We should celebrate our triumphs. Carpe diem! And coaches, players and fans should be extremely proud of this team, and what they've accomplished so far this season. My putting NOTHING in capital letters was I think the crux of your anger.

Fair enough.

But for all this team's accomplishments, not even Travis DeCuire will be a happy man if we don't get to the Big Dance. That is THE game. That is the tournament. That is the post-season.

And often, in any game, you make strategic sacrifices to achieve the greater goal. In the game of chess, you sacrifice a pawn or a knight for superior attacking position. In the Game of Life, you let your kids win to increase their confidence and self-esteem. And in professional basketball, you often sacrifice regular season wins and intensity to prepare for the playoffs.

Ask Greg Popovich, a master of this. Ask the Warriors, who won 73 regular season games and lost the title. Ask me about that tournament in Reno years ago when we lost to the lower-seed Bobcats, in part because our horse, Kystkowiak, was absolutely spent coming down the stretch.

Our kids have played with remarkable intensity this year. Our defense is a thing of beauty, requiring constant energy and concentration. The travel schedule has been brutal. And through it all, these kids have to hit the books as well. My suggestion to give them a break along the way, as a Popovich or a Kerr might do, has been roundly criticized by a jury of my peers. So be it.

Meanwhile, nobody else on this board is rooting harder for our kids, and their ability to extend this fabulous season all the way through the tournament.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I never root for my team to lose. I just want them to take care of business in the Big Sky Tournament and go NCAA Dancing. In this conference, that is all that counts. It sucks being part of a 1 bid conference, no matter how well team does during the regular season.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I think we make too big of a deal out of the NCAA tournament. But be that as it may, I want this team to get into the tournament just to show them off a little bit to the rest of the country. The way I look at it, teams like UM and South Dakota State are having great seasons, and losing a game in the conference tournament shouldn't tarnish their accomplishments at all. Both teams would represent very well in the NIT. So I'll continue to hope for the best. Root against them? Heresy! :lol:

 

[EverettGriz]

How about if we split the difference and root for the cats to lose?