(04-03-2021, 06:43 AM)81alum Wrote: In my view, getting out to an early lead and hitting some treys early in the game could make things much easier. Our players will be able to use a confidence boost early in the game and it would not be bad to sow seeds of doubt in our opponent that things are going to go the same way they did the last two times we played.I agree with this concept. Getting out to a lead would help us a lot. It is always easier to play from ahead. Any doubt we can create in Arizona's collective mind would also be good. I do hope the officials send the message early in the first quarter that they will not tolerate "maul ball". Hard play, physical play yes, maul ball, no. I don't think either team wants a rugby scrum, but for Stanford it increases the probability of no Brink late in the game and widens the probability distribution of possible outcomes.
Quote:In their hearts, Arizona knows we have beaten them twice, and it will be hard for them to come back from an early deficit if we are so fortunate as to grab a lead.
I don't agree here. I am sure the coach is telling the team right now to fight to the end. They have seen Stanford let off the gas in other games. We almost lost our last game on the last play after leading the vast majority of the game. Arizona isn't going to quit IMHO. This is the last game of the year. They will leave it out on the floor.