Frank Mason on the pride and hard work in extending to #12

Good piece.



It really underscores how much pride these guys take in winning the league, and committing to that goal. I mentioned the other day on here that you'd think that the "fear" of being the "team that stopped the streak" would have bitten one of the KU teams at some point through the years. And he even mentions that they think about that fear, and use it to drive themselves. But we all know how "playing not to lose" something can sometimes backfire. Not with our KU Jayhawks. The pressure is intense every season, they take EVERY team's absolute best shot every game, and yet they just continue to excel.

That is something else...and truly something to behold.

And if you're looking for clues as to how it possibly has continued on for so long, the enduring constants would be Bill Self, the players' commitment to the name on the jersey, and the players' understanding of their place in the lineage and history (pride and fear associated with that, which drives exceptional commitment and a refuse-to-lose mentality).

Rock Chalk...

minerscoach wrote: Just think about the number of hours Coach Self, the assistant coaches, the players, and all those involved in the program have devoted to continue this streak. It truly is amazing, especially when you think of all of the hours other programs are putting in to knock us off.

This streak is amazing and with a little luck we will put a nice winning streak together at the end of the year as well. A six game win streak would be another streak we would love to celebrate.

Of course, if we are limited to settling for just a 6 game win streak, as long as that win streak starts in the first round of the NCAA tournament (which is FINALLY officially being called the "First Round" again ,while the games in Dayton are to be called the First Four), I am TOTALLY with you, minerscoach!*



*Yeah, I know that's what you meant. I just don't want the guys -- or us vicarious onlookers, for that matter -- to have to feel the "agony of defeat" again this year. I want KU to end the season on a 20 game win streak -- but then, I am a greedy guy this time of year!

"And minerscoach wrote the words, and the words were good, and the hearts of the people who read them were filled with hope!"





IOW, preach it, Reverend!