The Psychology of Winning and Losing

[bbncal02]

I took it the same way. Referring to KY as looking good or unbeatable heading into the ND game is silly. We looked awful against Southern.
It has nothing to do with psychology IMO. It has everything to do with not being prepared, not having a plan, playing awful, and not adjusting.
Whose fault is this?

Southern had a tough defense , so let’s give them some credit. Woods’ teams player hard no matter what.

But yes we struggled for sure. And that’s what had me worried about Sat.

The emotion of the game may have been too much too. That was a hard day for all Kentuckians. Maybe they put too much pressure on themselves to win one for us. And when that happens every player reacts differently. Oscar came out pissed off. Brooks tried to play tough. It just didn’t carry over. Mintz had a rough game. Wheeler just went into psycho mode and played like hot garbage.

And we still should’ve won. But yes, Cal didn’t make adjustments. Maybe hi mind was elsewhere too.

Im hoping Saturday is a better showing.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

E

Southern had a tough defense , so let’s give them some credit. Woods’ teams player hard no matter what.

But yes we struggled for sure. And that’s what had me worried about Sat.

The emotion of the game may have been too much too. That was a hard day for all Kentuckians. Maybe they put too much pressure on themselves to win one for us. And when that happens every player reacts differently. Oscar came out pissed off. Brooks tried to play tough. It just didn’t carry over. Mintz had a rough game. Wheeler just went into psycho mode and played like hot garbage.

And we still should’ve won. But yes, Cal didn’t make adjustments. Maybe hi mind was elsewhere too.

Im hoping Saturday is a better showing.

Excuses

 

[kyfanrob]

I don't know why I bother attempting to even start a conversation here anymore. Everything devolves into "Cal sucks!" Beating my head against a wall. Ok. Enjoy guys! Merry Christmas. 😀

You're so right

 

[bbncal02]

There was no powers that be. Cal as usual gets tight in close, big games. He blew it. He was so close to pulling off one of the hardest feats in modern basketball and blew it. He's had time to lick his wounds and get back to business. He's not done that at all.

Cal is a storyteller. He moves all the pieces around him in a show of activity. "Let me replace my assistants." Then he puts a thick layer of icing on the top with a bunch of lip service. "We're going to play one in, four out this year."

What Cal does not do is change himself. His approach to recruiting. His approach to offensive philosophy. His approach to in game coaching. Even his view of the fan base.

What he does is fine if it equates to big wins and lots of them. It is intolerable if he is not winning.

No power at be? Ok. Sure. Nike has had it out for us for years since and has probably hurt our recruiting a bit.

We got hosed that game. Plain and simple. We even had Duke alumni sports a casting that day saying how horrible the officiating was.

The fix was in that year and there’s no denying that one. Both us and Arky got hosed.

Cal has got crap to fix for sure. But let’s not act like we didn’t get some very crap officiating in key games that basically required us to play perfect.

 

[ck-2]

Southern had a tough defense , so let’s give them some credit. Woods’ teams player hard no matter what.

But yes we struggled for sure. And that’s what had me worried about Sat.

The emotion of the game may have been too much too. That was a hard day for all Kentuckians. Maybe they put too much pressure on themselves to win one for us. And when that happens every player reacts differently. Oscar came out pissed off. Brooks tried to play tough. It just didn’t carry over. Mintz had a rough game. Wheeler just went into psycho mode and played like hot garbage.

And we still should’ve won. But yes, Cal didn’t make adjustments. Maybe hi mind was elsewhere too.

Im hoping Saturday is a better showing.

I’m hoping for a win Saturday too. I’m not trying to sound cold or like a jerk. But I just don’t buy that the team was that affected by the tornado tragedy.
Most of these players are very young kids who have no ties to anyone in Western Kentucky. It just happened and as busy as they were traveling and getting ready for the game I doubt they saw a lot about it. I know they knew it happened and lit candles before the game. But I doubt they saw a lot of footage and details until later.
Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t see it. Doesn’t mean they don’t care.

 

[bbncal02]

E

Excuses

Stats are effing excuses? Coming into that game they had a Top 50 turnover ratio. That’s a damn fact. If FACTS are excuses now then everyone sucks everyone sucks everywhere. And will never be anything.

Did we also play like garbage? Yes. Did Cal also not want to pour on gas at the end and embrass Woods? Yep. Did we have horrible execution that game? Yes. It’s that on Cal? Also yes. Multiple things can be true at the same damn time.

You sound like one of my old bosses. Where EVERYTHING was an excuse. Unless he and his work came first it was and excuse. I literally called ahead to say I was running behind because I was wrist deep in excrement trying to clean up my disabled mother. His answer was to say, “ Idon’t need your excuses. Why is it always me your running late on”. He was promptly told I would be there as soon as humanly possible. But he chose to make it about HIM.

 

[bbncal02]

I’m hoping for a win Saturday too. I’m not trying to sound cold or like a jerk. But I just don’t buy that the team was that affected by the tornado tragedy.
Most of these players are very young kids who have no ties to anyone in Western Kentucky. It just happened and as busy as they were traveling and getting ready for the game I doubt they saw a lot about it. I know they knew it happened and lit candles before the game. But I doubt they saw a lot of footage and details until later.
Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t see it. Doesn’t mean they don’t care.

It’s hard to say. Mental state of players is always a mystery. Punt it may or may not have had an effect. We just won’t know.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Stats are effing excuses? Coming into that game they had a Top 50 turnover ratio. That’s a damn fact. If FACTS are excuses now then everyone sucks everyone sucks everywhere. And will never be anything.

Did we also play like garbage? Yes. Did Cal also not want to pour on gas at the end and embrass Woods? Yep. Did we have horrible execution that game? Yes. It’s that on Cal? Also yes. Multiple things can be true at the same damn time.

You sound like one of my old bosses. Where EVERYTHING was an excuse. Unless he and his work came first it was and excuse. I literally called ahead to say I was running behind because I was wrist deep in excrement trying to clean up my disabled mother. His answer was to say, “ Idon’t need your excuses. Why is it always me your running late on”. He was promptly told I would be there as soon as humanly possible. But he chose to make it about HIM.

Jeez dude calm down

 

[ck-2]

It’s hard to say. Mental state of players is always a mystery. Punt it may or may not have had an effect. We just won’t know.

I know I can’t watch the news or hardly think about it without crying. My heart is breaking for the whole group.

 

[Backer cutter]

I don't know why I bother attempting to even start a conversation here anymore. Everything devolves into "Cal sucks!" Beating my head against a wall. Ok. Enjoy guys! Merry Christmas. 😀

To be fair, you willingly waded into a hornets nest wearing nectar aftershave, without a stitch on. We’ve all done it, and paid the price. And Merry Christmas to you too.

 

[IL Wildcat]

To be fair, you willingly waded into a hornets nest wearing nectar aftershave, without a stitch on. We’ve all done it, and paid the price. And Merry Christmas to you too.

Yep, you're right I'm sure. Attempting to talk about something other than Cal sucks is impossible right now because everyone assumes. I'm done posting until we win a game. Hopefully that will be Saturday. If we lose Saturday, I may be done for a long time. It's become a Calipari hating echo chamber. You can't even discuss games and opponents anymore.

And I really do hope everyone has a merry Christmas. Maybe it will focus our minds on more important things, like family and faith.

 

[Gromcat]

I don't know why I bother attempting to even start a conversation here anymore. Everything devolves into "Cal sucks!" Beating my head against a wall. Ok. Enjoy guys! Merry Christmas.

Calipari was a master at psychological games. He turned 3 stars who cared nothing about defense into defensive juggernauts. It’s why I laugh when people assume Calipari is this nicey nice guy. I’ve personally witnessed him when he thought no one was looking at CP. He was closer to a Bob Knight than the 70 year old Joe Hall people around here make him out to be.

That’s probably not what you wanted to hear I guess, or maybe I missed the point. Calipari does kind of suck these days, lol. But what do we expect from UK fans who are used to way more than this.

 

[anon_ce2llurbpkli4]

This thread js the biggest crock of ish I’ve ever heard. What the OP is trying to do is divert attention away from the fact that we are a very average team. As a matter of fact, we have a very good chance of NOT making the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd year in a row. No good wins so far and a very tough SEC slate coming up. Stop with the psycho babble. We are in bad shape.

 

[Wildcats1st]

80% of the game is between the ears. There is no doubt. I always say winning is a habit. Losing is a habit. That’s why cal schedules the cupcakes to build confidence. Every game is going to present its psychological obstacles from here on out except high point. Mental toughness is the difference between elite and good to mediocre.

 

[NC Weasel]

Against ND i saw a team not playing TEAM ball.

We let ND backdoor us to death, and on offense we can jack a three anytime. We don't need guys to be heroes. They need to listen more.

Yes, its Cal's responsibility to get them playing together on both ends. He has to own that. But I just don't accept that any successful coach forgets how to coach. These players need to own their performance as well. I doubt this coaching staff doesn't know how to stop simple backdoor cuts.

But at the end of the day, if you told me before the game ND would score 66, I would have said we probably won by 15. The Cats should not be held to 62 by a team like ND. They weren't killing clock.

ND sent 5 guys to the glass most of the time, while we watched Oscar battle 2-3 of them himself. Where was the urgency to go get the ball?

A player needs to step up as a leader and make it clear that the time to "get yours" is over and play like we all know they are being asked to play.

This is Cal's job to get done, but even Wheeler (who plays damn hard) needs to trust his teammates and quit trying to force what's not there. Same with Mintz.

The break is coming up .... if someone bolts then I think we'll know that this locker room isn't all together. If everyone stays, then I'm trusting (for now) that this group is going to rally and be a tougher TEAM in the coming months.

 

[Ocornett]

I don't know why I bother attempting to even start a conversation here anymore. Everything devolves into "Cal sucks!" Beating my head against a wall. Ok. Enjoy guys! Merry Christmas. 😀

I’d just give it a rest. Someone will start a new Far Cal everyday, until these kids jell and win consistently. Misery loves company, and we have numerous posters that love it when things aren’t going well. I support Cal and believe he will get these kids playing well together, eventually. Am I happy about how we‘re playing currently? Hell No. Expectations for UK have always been win every game and win big. I’m 65 and it was that way when I started following UK, and it will never change. I love UK, BBN, and we have great fans for the most part. We also have fans that hate Cal, and will never be satisfied until he’s gone. We also have a few posters that aren’t happy, unless they have something to bitch about everyday. We have a lot of fans that love to drink, and I fit into that group. When we drink we all do and say things were sorry for the next day. I’ve been guilty of doing that several times. This is BBN love it or leave it.

 

[IL Wildcat]

80% of the game is between the ears. There is no doubt. I always say winning is a habit. Losing is a habit. That’s why cal schedules the cupcakes to build confidence. Every game is going to present its psychological obstacles from here on out except high point. Mental toughness is the difference between elite and good to mediocre.

This is what I was wanting to discuss and very well stated. This current team has the skills to be a very good team but some of our best players haven't played at UK yet and don't understand that it takes a very tough psyche to make it here. They will either learn this or we will struggle this season. This is not intended to be any kind of excuse, though it is part of the explanation, I think, for why we lost to an inferior team like Notre Dame. Alabama is dealing with something similar with losing to Memphis. Memphis is dealing with something similar when they look at losing to Georgia.

Thanks Wildcat1st, you replied without feeling the need to default to Cal sucks. He is responsible for the loss at Notre Dame, perhaps because he thought these guys were mentally ready for the situations they faced, but they weren't there. He knows now, as do we all, that they weren't prepared for it. It's part of any team improving throughout a season, but our team is under the microscope more than most and our fanbase is on edge. So, it's more than most players have to face.

The fact that teams play UK like it's their superbowl, which is true even if fans currently just see that as an excuse for failure, is something many of these guys haven't seen until now. Honestly. I don't know if this group has the mental fortitude to succeed here. I hope they do. I've seen a will to win and a fight from them, which is a good sign. We'll see. No doubt, things got real with this loss.

 

[liveblue92]

We see it every year- some team that we don't think is very good beats a team that looked practically unbeatable in its previous game against a better opponent. The UK and Notre Dame game is an example. When you look at the psychology of that game, Notre Dame was coming off losing 3 out of 4- all away from home. They come home and the school is honoring LaPhonso Ellis and hanging his number in the stadium. (they were undefeated when honoring a player like this) ESPN is in the house along with a rowdy crowd. They're desperate for a win. Meanwhile, UK is coming off 7 straight wins, all at home, is ranked in the top 10 and is feeling pretty good and thinking Notre Dame should be a win, maybe a tough win, but a fairly certain win. Notre Dame wins.

Another example (this one from college football) is that Alabama and Georgia SEC championship game not long ago. Everyone was calling Georgia's defense the best in decades. They were that good. People were talking about whether Alabama could even break 14 points against that defense. Georgia was going to win, only the margin was in doubt. Instead, Alabama wins handily. Saban tells the press that their "poison was delicious" all week long. Why? Because the psychology of the game was working perfectly for Alabama.

Another example we just saw was Alabama and Memphis. Memphis has been the subject of much criticism because of its losses and Penny Hardaway was being criticized left and right (I've joined in on that myself). Meanwhile Alabama, after a bad loss to Iona earlier in the season, had reeled off 4 consecutive wins, including a huge win over Gonzaga, and was feeling pretty good about beating a Memphis team that had looked very vulnerable. Memphis is desperate and at home. Alabama is comfortable and confident. Memphis wins by 14 going away.

I know it doesn't always work this way, and the psychology of a particular matchup can be overcome when it isn't working in your favor, but it seems very important to me- especially in college sports. It's not quite as important in pro sports because those players are less emotional and psychologically more stable, but in college sports you've got to find that psychological edge with players. Calipari used to be very good at this. That could be part of the mojo issue he's dealing with. He needs to find it, though. UK should have a psychological edge in this Ohio St game coming on Saturday.

TL;DR

Rationalize a bad loss. Defend Cal. “Y’all aren’t real fans”.

The only thing we can do now is see what happens for the rest of the season. Next 3 games are huge. Another year of missing the tournament or not doing anything if we do limp in, and his seat is gonna be scorching.

 

[jrm693]

You guys seem to think I'm defending Calipari here. I'm not. I'm not excusing the loss, either. I said there are ways to overcome the psychology of the game and that Calipari was once a master of the psychology of the game. Please don't start the "but Cal sucks" argument. I'm not fighting that fight today.

I think you are trying to be fair and completely understand there is nothing to be gained by all the negative chatter, I also understand your points and you do a excellent job of trying to keep things inbound. I also believe by the end of season he could get things headed in a positive direction as he has in the past. For me what is tough to swallow is watching Duke win these type games and UK losing them, especially at the rate he is being paid.

 

[bertfan31]

Once you’ve mastered your trade, what more is there? I’ve been there-have been so good at something, why keep trying to get better? He needs a new target, a new challenge. But….I don’t see the hunger that once existed. What or who is he chasing and who’s chasing him?

He’s the wolf on the hill-he’s full, no reason to hunt. The Cal we hired was the one climbing the hill and was a true alpha! It happens, he’s content and not looking for the next target or record to go smash.

Herp derp, herpty derp!

 

[SquareBallRoundHoop2]

This thread js the biggest crock of ish I’ve ever heard. What the OP is trying to do is divert attention away from the fact that we are a very average team. As a matter of fact, we have a very good chance of NOT making the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd year in a row. No good wins so far and a very tough SEC slate coming up. Stop with the psycho babble. We are in bad shape.

OP has a history of this. He mistook his role of “moderator” as being an actual college basketball sports journalist. A small number of posters have complimented him enough that he actually thinks he’s providing a service here with these outside the box analysis threads. He thinks he’s viewing UK Bball from a perspective that maybe not everyone has the ability to conceive.


He’s even under the illusion that it was threads like this during his time as a regular poster that elevated him to a moderator role. Almost as if the powers that be said “man, he really knows basketball. Let’s make him a moderator”. Again, this created a delusion of grandeur for him. He now thinks his role is to provide opinion-based analysis as if he were a professional sports journalist. Again, he’s a “mod”. Congrats.


The truth is, he’s addicted to the attention these threads give him. It’s very similar to the high that one gets from receiving a “like” on social media, or even better, a complimentary response. Oh joy! In his mind it’s validation that he knows basketball.

 

[Gromcat]

I’d just give it a rest. Someone will start a new Far Cal everyday, until these kids jell and win consistently. Misery loves company, and we have numerous posters that love it when things aren’t going well. I support Cal and believe he will get these kids playing well together, eventually. Am I happy about how we‘re playing currently? Hell No. Expectations for UK have always been win every game and win big. I’m 65 and it was that way when I started following UK, and it will never change. I love UK, BBN, and we have great fans for the most part. We also have fans that hate Cal, and will never be satisfied until he’s gone. We also have a few posters that aren’t happy, unless they have something to bitch about everyday. We have a lot of fans that love to drink, and I fit into that group. When we drink we all do and say things were sorry for the next day. I’ve been guilty of doing that several times. This is BBN love it or leave it.

The Bold is classic. Some of you have no idea what backing a salesman is making you sound like.

Be a UK fan, a fan of the all time winningest program, or please be a fan of a program that does not succeed the way we have. We need less apathetic coach First fans and more of the types of fans that have made us what we are.

 

[Ocornett]

The Bold is classic. Some of you have no idea what backing a salesman is making you sound like.

Be a UK fan, a fan of the all time winningest program, or please be a fan of a program that does not succeed the way we have. We need less apathetic coach First fans and more of the types of fans that have made us what we are.

Morg. first of all I didn’t bold this you did. 2nd 2 can play this game. Be on the lookout. Have a great day.

 

[Gromcat]

Morg. first of all I didn’t bold this you did. 2nd 2 can play this game. Be on the lookout. Have a great day.

As always your ability to make cohesive statements is lost on everyone.

 

[kelzer]

OP has a history of this. He mistook his role of “moderator” as being an actual college basketball sports journalist. A small number of posters have complimented him enough that he actually thinks he’s providing a service here with these outside the box analysis threads. He thinks he’s viewing UK Bball from a perspective that maybe not everyone has the ability to conceive.


He’s even under the illusion that it was threads like this during his time as a regular poster that elevated him to a moderator role. Almost as if the powers that be said “man, he really knows basketball. Let’s make him a moderator”. Again, this created a delusion of grandeur for him. He now thinks his role is to provide opinion-based analysis as if he were a professional sports journalist. Again, he’s a “mod”. Congrats.


The truth is, he’s addicted to the attention these threads give him. It’s very similar to the high that one gets from receiving a “like” on social media, or even better, a complimentary response. Oh joy! In his mind it’s validation that he knows basketball.

You literally joined yesterday; what do you know about OP’s history? Oh, you must be one of those guys who create multiple accounts just so nobody knows who you are.

I think OP is one of the few posters around here who is pretty objective. I value his posts. Don't know who you really are, so I can't say whether I value yours or not, except for this one, which I think adds nothing to the discussion.

 

[SquareBallRoundBasket3]

You literally joined yesterday; what do you know about OP’s history? Oh, you must be one of those guys who create multiple accounts just so nobody knows who you are.

I think OP is one of the few posters around here who is pretty objective. I value his posts. Don't know who you really are, so I can't say whether I value yours or not, except for this one, which I think adds nothing to the discussion.

I create accounts because I get banned by sensitive posters. I follow this board, and have for years. I used to be a member and posted for years but was banned for calling out Cal’s true intentions at UK. This was back before disappointment in Cal was so rampant.


As I said before, OP is simply addicted to the attention he gets from creating threads such as this. Each “like” and direct response is validation to him. He’s a mod but acts like his role here is to provide analyses as if he were a professional sports journalist.


He said himself he’s “providing a free service”. What service? He’s just a regular joe posting his opinion like anyone else. It’s not a service if you’re not an actual sports writer. He’s not Jay Williams, Greenberg, Jay Bilas. If one of those guys jumped on the free board and typed out post game analysis /opinion then it would be “providing a service”. But not a “mod” posting his opinion. Get over yourself.


And I get your response; “so what? Let the guy post his opinion”. And you’re right. Fine, go for it. But he gets butt-hurt when posters don’t agree. Just re-read this thread. If you don’t agree he basically blames it on Cal-hate. Again, he thinks being a mod is the same thing as being a sports journalist. So when you disagree with his thread he thinks you just don’t understand the game at his level. What level? Dude, YOU ARE A MOD.

 

[SquareBallRoundBasket3]

You literally joined yesterday; what do you know about OP’s history? Oh, you must be one of those guys who create multiple accounts just so nobody knows who you are.

I think OP is one of the few posters around here who is pretty objective. I value his posts. Don't know who you really are, so I can't say whether I value yours or not, except for this one, which I think adds nothing to the discussion.

I create accounts because I get banned by sensitive posters. I follow this board, and have for years. I used to be a member and posted for years but was banned for calling out Cal’s true intentions at UK. This was back before disappointment in Cal was so rampant.


As I said before, OP is simply addicted to the attention he gets from creating threads such as this. Each “like” and direct response is validation to him. He’s a mod but acts like his role here is to provide analyses as if he were a professional sports journalist.


He said himself he’s “providing a free service”. What service? He’s just a regular joe posting his opinion like anyone else. It’s not a service if you’re not an actual sports writer. He’s not Jay Williams, Greenberg, Jay Bilas. If one of those guys jumped on the free board and typed out post game analysis /opinion then it would be “providing a service”. But not a “mod” posting his opinion. Get over yourself.


And I get your response; “so what? Let the guy post his opinion”. And you’re right. Fine, go for it. But he gets butt-hurt when posters don’t agree. Just re-read this thread. If you don’t agree he basically blames it on Cal-hate. Again, he thinks being a mod is the same thing as being a sports journalist. So when you disagree with his thread he thinks you just don’t understand the game at his level. What level? Dude, YOU ARE A MOD.