One of the stock “insights” that comes from College Football pundits during bowl season is that the number one team in the country will grow soft and complacent from the media’s onslaught of praise and predictions during the month-long layover between conference championships and the national championship. Meanwhile, the underdog seethes for being slighted, planning the moment they silence the doubters. They have everything to prove and nothing to lose.
Many coaches at all levels of pro sports tell their players to ignore the news media and all the outside views about the team. As simple as this seems, it is not realistic because for one- the internet and Sportscenter are inevitably absorbed, and two-most people care about how they are perceived and thus like to be in the news.
Our team deals with similar issues but news about us is on a much smaller scale. As far as media, we all follow two blogs about Division III tennis maintained by anonymous hosts- apparently one blogger is from California and the other is from the Atlantic South. (D3TENNIS and TENNISd3) We also use an encyclopedia named Ben Guzick who knows every result and can list the entire roster of any top 20 or ranked Central team. Yes, that includes the biographical information and a scouting report of each player. Now, whenever we quiz him, we give him obscure teams in regions he is unfamiliar with and he hopes to get the answers wrong because he considers his knowledge “an affliction.”
I will cold call him right now as a test:
Me: Hey BG, two questions. Occidental 3.
BG: I don’t know, sorry.
[Ouch 0-1]
Me: Brandeis 5.
BG: That’s easy, Rozenshteyn, even Mike knew that.
[Well excuse me.]
Me: Colby 5.
BG: Matt Mantikas.
[Correct. 2-3]Me: From?
BG: Oh sorry, not sure. Is this for a blog or something?
Me: Maybe. Willamette 2.
BG: I always get them confused with Linfield… hmmm… Kyle Anderson.
[Anderson is the Linfield no. 2. Almost. 2-4.]
The point is that players are going to read the news and seek out news about themselves because they want to be in the know. While coaches can’t stop this news consumption, they can manage it with use of a bulletin board that showcases articles criticizing the team. Even the coach of a heavily favored team can manage the bulletin board material to instill the hunger of an underdog in his favored squad.
Before the season, team captain Mike Mattelson distributed a season preview about Skidmore from D3TENNIS with several lines highlighted:
“They will almost certainly win their conference giving them an NCAA berth but I think they are a few years away from being a threat to a top seed in their region. I would expect a similar year to last year for Skidmore.”
“They should win the Liberty League title easily.”
Skidmore finished third in the Liberty League and Vassar goose-egged St. Lawrence to capture the Liberty League Crown. Celebrating with a sparkling apple cider fight (but forgetting to spray coach) or pretending the plaque is Lord Stanley’s Cup and finding everyday uses for it is almost as satisfying as proving the doubters wrong.
This material came out after our loss to Williams:
“They were one of the hottest teams in the country a month ago but their flaws became apparent when they started facing stronger competition… They just don't have the depth of the other top Northeast teams and if they can't get ahead in doubles it will be very tough for them to stay competitive with top 20 teams.” - D3 TENNIS
“Vassar will obviously make the tournament with ease but due to geographic proximity, I think it is very possible they will end up playing a regional at Middlebury. A sweet 16 appearance isn't out of the question for Vassar, but they don't have the team to go any further.” - D3 TENNIS
In preparation for Amherst and nationals, this is going on the bulletin board.
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