Fear no one, but respect everyone

[bigbluelou]

We have every right to be confident...even a bit cocky. But I encourage all of us to consider that each game we play will be against legitimate opponents. They're all "Division 1" teams and athletes, though few if any will be at our level.

Sure, we will be favored in every game we play, and we *should* win them all. But I hear a lot of stuff like, "we'll blow them out by 40" or "we're 30 points better than so-and-so," and sometimes against Top 10 teams. These may be true, but those of us who've been around for a few decades understand how unpredictable and maddening this tourney can be. Teams get hot, we go cold, fickle lady luck steps in, etc. I think we have as much or more margin for error this year than perhaps any in my lifetime, but upsets, even HUGE upsets, can and do happen. Every year.

Just felt like throwing this out there for everyone's consideration. No disrespect intended to anyone...just some words of wisdom from a grizzled veteran of NCAA tourney fan-dom.

Peace!

 

[On-On-UK_rivals45415]

I agree with you BBL, but don't forget that fan is short for "fanatic".
It doesn't matter what you, I or anyone else do, say or think, it will have no effect on any game.

You don't have to worry about the team, though. Those guys have their stuff together.
Their ultimate goal is within reach now, and Cal will ensure that they respect every opponent...

 

[Contracts & Wildcats]

Originally posted by bigbluelou:
We have every right to be confident...even a bit cocky. But I encourage all of us to consider that each game we play will be against legitimate opponents. They're all "Division 1" teams and athletes, though few if any will be at our level.

Sure, we will be favored in every game we play, and we *should* win them all. But I hear a lot of stuff like, "we'll blow them out by 40" or "we're 30 points better than so-and-so," and sometimes against Top 10 teams. These may be true, but those of us who've been around for a few decades understand how unpredictable and maddening this tourney can be. Teams get hot, we go cold, fickle lady luck steps in, etc. I think we have as much or more margin for error this year than perhaps any in my lifetime, but upsets, even HUGE upsets, can and do happen. Every year.

Just felt like throwing this out there for everyone's consideration. No disrespect intended to anyone...just some words of wisdom from a grizzled veteran of NCAA tourney fan-dom.

Peace!

Great post Lou. I've seen some comments lately stating that games with the likes of Gonzaga (slow/unathletic/play nobody/WILTJER) and Arizona (bad offense/Tarczewski is soft/defense is not THAT good) as well as some others, would be blowouts and the Cats would cruise.

If the Cats actually did meet up with those teams they might in fact blow them out, and I do think UK would probably win by double digits (at least against Gonzaga) but to say those teams aren't solid basketball teams capable of beating really good teams is just wrong. All it takes is one off night, and boom, it's over.

Of course I want the Cats to steamroll everyone

but I by no means think it's a forgone conclusion.