[81alum]

I think Tara explained it without saying it outright.  The team was just tired, maybe physically but surly emotionally.  Six out of eight of our last games were away, three of those 8 games were on a compressed timeline for TV purposes, and of course the most difficult road trip of the season was saved for last.  And 5/8 of those teams were ranked.  Yet how deflating would it be to run that mega-gauntlet and win 6/8 and then be remembered for the one you lost after sleeping on airport benches?  It had to be a tough mental hill to climb.

In contrast, UCLA had six of eight of its last games at home, and the only game it had "early" was its regular season game against WSU, which it lost.  And its schedule at the end did not compare with our schedule at the end.  It also only had to play Colorado and Utah once, and it lost both those games away.

I know we played almost a whole season "away" during COVID and obviously we dealt with it and flourished.  Somehow this seems different--a unique challenge.  There is a reason Tara is giving the team 3 days off, despite the obvious need to fix significant problems.   I would not be surprised to see a much rejuvenated team back at Maples for the first two rounds.  If they take care of business there, who knows what could happen in Seattle?  I will be there at Maples cheering my head off, trying to inject some fan enthusiasm into our team's spirits.

[81alum]

I think Tara explained it without saying it outright.  The team was just tired, maybe physically but surly emotionally.  Six out of eight of our last games were away, three of those 8 games were on a compressed timeline for TV purposes, and of course the most difficult road trip of the season was saved for last.  And 5/8 of those teams were ranked.  Yet how deflating would it be to run that mega-gauntlet and win 6/8 and then be remembered for the one you lost after sleeping on airport benches?  It had to be a tough mental hill to climb.

In contrast, UCLA had six of eight of its last games at home, and the only game it had "early" was its regular season game against WSU, which it lost.  And its schedule at the end did not compare with our schedule at the end.  It also only had to play Colorado and Utah once, and it lost both those games away.

I know we played almost a whole season "away" during COVID and obviously we dealt with it and flourished.  Somehow this seems different--a unique challenge.  There is a reason Tara is giving the team 3 days off, despite the obvious need to fix significant problems.   I would not be surprised to see a much rejuvenated team back at Maples for the first two rounds.  If they take care of business there, who knows what could happen in Seattle?  I will be there at Maples cheering my head off, trying to inject some fan enthusiasm into our team's spirits.