I have a mild case of PTSD from whatever just happened there. We were up 9, I blinked, and we were not only behind, but the game suddenly felt lost. That put me into shock. Heels played well for the majority of the game, and great the first half of the second half, but then the old team showed up. After 3 in a row, and LV and VA, the only thing I knew was this team was finally past the turnover, loss of all focus, sudden loss of composure, scrambling confusion they do for about 2 x 5" stretches a game. Then. . . it was back! They recovered some, but it was like UNC football's defense at times. Trying to think "what was that?" "What was that I just saw?" "What's happening?" "Why are people throwing crazy passes to into teammates knees or to the other team, taking crazy difficult shots early in the clock, stopping moving on O, and playing oley on D all at once?"
Then it hit me, every time before this tournament they got in a grove and opened a big lead, what happened? They relaxed, lost focus, played sloppy, and it sometimes cost them the game. Remember up 18 at LV? Remember up - was it 8 - at dook #1? Yep, there it was. Relaxed too soon. And, they do it collectively. You would hope it would only be one or two guys. Anyhow, they did start to pull it back together, albeit too late tonight. In the alternative, is it stress/pressure? They don't maintain composure down the stretch of tough games against good teams due to a mild case of paralysis by analysis, aka worry? It seems impossible that they could be losing focus by letting some of the edge off once they have control of the game in these rivalry and championship games. But, I'm not sure which it is.
The most important thing to say is, Great overall game against a very good ND team (boy can they shoot!), heck of a tournament, proud of the Heels, and ready for March Madness. I lets hope whatever drives the struggle, it is finally put to rest. Let's make a run to the Final Four! Go Heels!
This post was edited on 3/14 11:03 PM by timammer
This post was edited on 3/14 11:08 PM by timammer
Then it hit me, every time before this tournament they got in a grove and opened a big lead, what happened? They relaxed, lost focus, played sloppy, and it sometimes cost them the game. Remember up 18 at LV? Remember up - was it 8 - at dook #1? Yep, there it was. Relaxed too soon. And, they do it collectively. You would hope it would only be one or two guys. Anyhow, they did start to pull it back together, albeit too late tonight. In the alternative, is it stress/pressure? They don't maintain composure down the stretch of tough games against good teams due to a mild case of paralysis by analysis, aka worry? It seems impossible that they could be losing focus by letting some of the edge off once they have control of the game in these rivalry and championship games. But, I'm not sure which it is.
The most important thing to say is, Great overall game against a very good ND team (boy can they shoot!), heck of a tournament, proud of the Heels, and ready for March Madness. I lets hope whatever drives the struggle, it is finally put to rest. Let's make a run to the Final Four! Go Heels!
This post was edited on 3/14 11:03 PM by timammer
This post was edited on 3/14 11:08 PM by timammer
