The Psychology of the Bubble Basketballer would make for a fascinating college course.
For the player or coach awaiting word on the NCAA Tournament, there’s that conflict of confidence that you’re in and unavoidable self-doubt that acknowledges you just might not be. There’s everything that comes with the waiting — anxiety and fear and second-guessing about second halves and a longing for second chances. There’s the escape that is practicing with your team, but a burden of what you’re practicing for — an opponent you don’t know in a tournament you might not even be in.
If the course was to be taught at St.