MENTALITY OF SUCCESS
By Sebastian Thomas

When it comes to basketball, a lot of winning comes down to the mental side of the game. Having a winning mentality going into games and even practices is really important. You have to try and take that winning mindset if you are going to accomplish what you need to accomplish.

When it comes down to the key stretches in games, you want to make sure mentally you are in the right place, thinking about the right things.

Practice is hard, and a lot of us don't like practice. But when you come in with the right mindset, the goal is to try and win the day. When the energy is right in practice in the days leading up to a game, then you get a sense when the team is going to experience some type of success.

Our game plan is our game plan, and we are going to try to execute it to the best of our ability. Whether that it getting the ball inside to work down low or whatever the case may be. But throughout every game, teams change what they are going to do against us, and that is when instincts come into play. I feel like the coaching staff trusts me in moments like that. When I am out on the floor, I kind of know when it is time for my instincts to take over and either make a play for myself or my teammate.

Take the win over St. Bonaventure, for example. We were down one with time running out, and that play was more of an instinct type of situation. I drove to the basket, and rewatching it after the game was over, I saw that basically their whole team had their eyes on me. I didn't quite know that in the moment, but I did know if I tried to shoot, it probably would have been a forced shot and not the best shot we could have gotten off.

I saw Jamarques Lawrence in the corner, and had a pretty good game all game. He had the hot hand and started making some shots earlier in the game. On that play, I had the trust in him to make the shot. That is what you are supposed to do as a point guard and play-maker. As a good team, we should all be looking to make the right plays.

For me, I'm still kind of adjusting to the role of being the focal point for a team. As a person, I am kind of quiet and shy. I don't always understand fully the value I have as a leader on the team just yet. I know that sounds crazy because the season is close to over, but I have conversations with the coaches, and they let me know that I don't realize the full impact I have on the team.

I know I have a big role on the team and people look to me. It's a lot of pressure, especially coming down late in the game. Everybody is obviously trying to do everything that can to try and win the game. And I know everyone is looking to me to either be the guy who makes the play, or be the guy who sets up someone else to make the play. It's a lot of pressure, but I also think it's a lot of fun.

The sign of a good team is when it doesn't really matter who makes a big play at the end of a game, as long as we win the game. Anyone on this team is capable of being the person who makes the big play. It's just a matter of who is going good that particular day. Everyone has a role on this team. Everyone who goes in with the right mindset executing their role can be the star on that night.

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