[StanFan88]

Does coming close to beating a top team in a preconference game or on your home court mean you have the talent to beat them when all the chips are on the line in the Big Dance? I think it is at least debatable.

Given the dozen-plus late-game collapses and less than .400 winning percentage in close games that characterize the Dawkins era, I'd say when the chips are on the line Stanford is not a team I'm going to bet on in a close game.  Still gonna root for them, but my expectations will not be high.

[StanFan88]

Does coming close to beating a top team in a preconference game or on your home court mean you have the talent to beat them when all the chips are on the line in the Big Dance? I think it is at least debatable.

Given the dozen-plus late-game collapses and less than .400 winning percentage in close games that characterize the Dawkins era, I'd say when the chips are on the line Stanford is not a team I'm going to bet on in a close game.  Still gonna root for them, but my expectations will not be high.