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Gerry,

Martin called a time out in the 2nd half because of the lack of defensive play. Even clearing the bench as you say, there has to be a high level of competiveness. I've seen 20 points leads disappear. I just watched what look like a sure win by Florida with 1:35 left turn into a loss the other night at Arizona.

That ending is a textbook example of how taking the foot off the pedal and losing momentum can swing a game from a win to a loss.

Sometimes it isn't just about winning. It is also about putting fear into your future opponents. You can never give them hope. You must beat them to the point that they know there was no way to win.

When your next opponent faces you on the court, they have the seed of defeat already in the back of their minds while your team has the knowledge they can destroy anyone. That is how Roman generals and Genghis Khan won wars without a shot.

Some UT fans might get mad at me for pointing out a team that I thought had the greatest killer instinct of any college basketball team I have ever seen on the court and that was the Pitino's '96 Cats. They beat some teams so badly from start to finish that the other teams just missed because they knew there was no point in making a basket. They took away will to win simply by showing up.