Imago
Mar 11, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with his team in a huddle before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Mar 11, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with his team in a huddle before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are about to become the first team since the Indiana Hoosiers in 1976 to win the national title while undefeated. However, there is still one more game for them to win against the formidable Baylor Bears. If there is a team that can beat them, it is the Bears.
However, the pressure of being undefeated sometimes weighs too heavily, especially on these young college athletes. John Calipari almost had an undefeated season in 2014-2015 with Karl-Anthony Towns as his star. However, they lost in the Final Four, but Calipari knows about the pressure that Zaga is under.
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“Our goal is to not be undefeated, our goal is to win a national title. I could say it a thousand different ways. But at the end of the day, when a game is close, that will play a part. You don’t want a close game. We were lucky to beat Notre Dame. Notre Dame had us beat. But we fought and did the right stuff. Now as it gets closer to that national championship game, I wish I had done a better job of that. But we went the gauntlet winning 38. In the SEC. I think we had overtime games.”
Gonzaga Bulldogs: Unfazed by their undefeated record?
The Gonzaga Bulldogs proved in their game against the UCLA Bruins that they aren’t scared. A loss would not only break their undefeated record, but send them home from yet another March Madness without a title. Considering this team will look very different next season, this is the time to capitalize.
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Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrates with teammates after making the game winning shot to be the UCLA Bruins in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The poise with which the Bulldogs battled the Bruins was remarkable. Everything went right for the Bruins, but they still couldn’t pull a win out. This is because of the sensational coaching that Mark Few has done this season, but also the very obvious answer in Jalen Suggs. His shot may have been an answered prayer, but it got the job done.
The pressure of being in the NCAA Finals usually can’t be surpassed. However, knowing that one more win makes the team immortal as undefeated champions could weigh on the Bulldogs players.
