I am sure that our staff teaches situational basketball, but our failure to play according to the situation cost us the game against Washington and almost cost us the game today. The fact is, we did not play smart, and playing hard does not always compensate for that. In fact, our defensive intensity put Arizona on the foul line far too often, stopping the clock and gifting them with free throws in the late stages of the game. I will not cite specific examples, as anyone watching the game could come up with a list of their own.

I am not sure whether or not Drew conducts classroom sessions, or for that matter Mulkey, but the mental aspect of the game is a vital element of any sport, even for or especially for college players, who despite their youth are veterans of a lot of basketball, but still get caught up in the moment and lose their discipline at critical stages. It is a mistake to put the game at risk by depending on officials to make what, in your judgment at least, is the right call. Film sessions are fine, but not nearly enough, and practices should reinforce the need for responses that need little thought for recognition, so ingrained is the understanding of the moment.