The truth is, all teams have their ups and downs. Kentucky lost three of its first four and five of its first eight. North Carolina in Chapel Hill. By 17 points, no less. Four months later, the ninth-ranked Wildcats are the No. 2 seed in the East.
Some coaches espouse a sort of two-week theory.
To wit, most teams play over their heads for two weeks during a typical season. And they underachieve for another two weeks. The rest of the time, they operate at their true level. The secret is in the timing, having those ups when it counts most and having those downs when it hurts the least. Eustachy has long maintained that when and where you play are as important as who you play.