Monday Musings: Everybody Calm Down

[JakeBrend]

After a 4-0 week for Cyclone Basketball, Andrew Harrington takes a page out of Aaron Rodgers' book by sharing why it's importance to 'R-E-L-A-X' in January.

Check out the full Monday Musings below. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/monday-musings-everybody-calm-down/

 

[JEFF420]

this is calm

 

[acoustimac]

Remain calm…all is well…

Thanks for the written word!

 

[RING4CY]

DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN

 

[cycloneworld]

Pet peeve (not just to Jake but in general in sports) - Telling people to be fanatics but then to "relax" when things don't go well seems counterproductive. The highs are high which means the lows are going to be low. You don't to cherry pick and tells fans to only celebrate the wins and ignore the frustrations of the losses.

3 of the 4 wins were against bottom feeders so its hard to tell if both teams are fully back (men seems like they are), but this week was a lot more fun than previous weeks, that's for sure.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

After a 4-0 week for Cyclone Basketball, Andrew Harrington takes a page out of Aaron Rodgers' book by sharing why it's importance to 'R-E-L-A-X' in January.

Check out the full Monday Musings below. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/monday-musings-everybody-calm-down/

 

[nhclone]

To be fair, pretty much any other time in the history of the sport, being ranked behind Nebraska would be cause for panic.

 

[AndrewH_67]

Pet peeve (not just to Jake but in general in sports) - Telling people to be fanatics but then to "relax" when things don't go well seems counterproductive. The highs are high which means the lows are going to be low. You don't to cherry pick and tells fans to only celebrate the wins and ignore the frustrations of the losses.

3 of the 4 wins were against bottom feeders so its hard to tell if both teams are fully back (men seems like they are), but this week was a lot more fun than previous weeks, that's for sure.

I wrote it, don’t get mad at Jake. I see where you’re coming from, my point I was trying to get across was that neither the high or the low should be a random two-game stretch in January. There is a much bigger picture.

Not stomping on anyone’s fun though, that’s the beauty of sports, you can enjoy them however you choose.

 

[cycloneworld]

I wrote it, don’t get mad at Jake. I see where you’re coming from, my point I was trying to get across was that neither the high or the low should be a random two-game stretch in January. There is a much bigger picture.

Not stomping on anyone’s fun though, that’s the beauty of sports, you can enjoy them however you choose.

Definitely not mad, I love the work you guys do! Its just a broader trend that annoys me...fans are being asked to donate, fund, attend, buy, buy, buy and then when teams don't win, we aren't supposed to question or criticize. That message doesn't jive for me.

It's a societal trend to where people want all of the praise and glory but none of the criticism. You get the good with the bad, in my opinion.

 

[AndrewH_67]

Definitely not mad, I love the work you guys do! Its just a broader trend that annoys me...fans are being asked to donate, fund, attend, buy, buy, buy and then when teams don't win, we aren't supposed to question or criticize. That message doesn't jive for me.

It's a societal trend to where people want all of the praise and glory but none of the criticism. You get the good with the bad, in my opinion.

Can’t argue that!

 

[3TrueFans]

Pet peeve (not just to Jake but in general in sports) - Telling people to be fanatics but then to "relax" when things don't go well seems counterproductive. The highs are high which means the lows are going to be low. You don't to cherry pick and tells fans to only celebrate the wins and ignore the frustrations of the losses.

3 of the 4 wins were against bottom feeders so its hard to tell if both teams are fully back (men seems like they are), but this week was a lot more fun than previous weeks, that's for sure.

The "lows" in this case being two losses on the road after starting 16-0. Those aren't actually lows, they're just losses.

 

[JM4CY]

I wrote it, don’t get mad at Jake. I see where you’re coming from, my point I was trying to get across was that neither the high or the low should be a random two-game stretch in January. There is a much bigger picture.

Not stomping on anyone’s fun though, that’s the beauty of sports, you can enjoy them however you choose.

You can’t stomp on fun without getting permission from Jake. That guy knows a thing or two about fun.

 

[DSMCy]

The "lows" in this case being two losses on the road after starting 16-0. Those aren't actually lows, they're just losses.

To be largely uncompetitive in both games was what frustrated/concerned me, and I'm guessing most fans.

If they lost at KU by 5-10, while being in the game most of the time, so be it.
If Cincy hits a game winner, I would have been disappointed, but again, whatever.

 

[Sigmapolis]

 

[isucy86]

Pet peeve (not just to Jake but in general in sports) - Telling people to be fanatics but then to "relax" when things don't go well seems counterproductive. The highs are high which means the lows are going to be low. You don't to cherry pick and tells fans to only celebrate the wins and ignore the frustrations of the losses.

3 of the 4 wins were against bottom feeders so its hard to tell if both teams are fully back (men seems like they are), but this week was a lot more fun than previous weeks, that's for sure.

It's a continuum.

Another viewpoint, a fanatic is a person who supports their team during both the highs and lows of the rollercoaster. Revel in the highs, bring perspective to the lows.

Whereas, as bandwagon fan is all in during the highs. But during the down times they are quick to find fault and ready to quit on the team.

So relax might be appropriate for some fans.

 

[Cycsk]

Clearly, the coaches read Harrington's column.

My approach to fandom has changed over the years. The losses used to hurt bad. Now, I'm there for the competition and the victories. The losses bounce off. The big wins and dramatic moments become enduring memories. Go State.

 

[VeloClone]

You talk about 4 games to continue getting right before the gauntlet.

Gauntlet indeed. There are currently six Quad 1 games in those next seven including home games against NET 11, 15, and 18 and road games at NET 1 and 12.

Buckle up!

 

[Klubber]

Pet peeve (not just to Jake but in general in sports) - Telling people to be fanatics but then to "relax" when things don't go well seems counterproductive. The highs are high which means the lows are going to be low. You don't to cherry pick and tells fans to only celebrate the wins and ignore the frustrations of the losses.

3 of the 4 wins were against bottom feeders so its hard to tell if both teams are fully back (men seems like they are), but this week was a lot more fun than previous weeks, that's for sure.

For the guys, our losses are both Quad-1.

And as long as any of our remaining L's are Quad-1, they'll be minimally damaging. It really helps playing in such a great conference. We're in great shape in KenPom and Torvik. Both of those carry more weight than the AP.

 

[VeloClone]

For the guys, our losses are both Quad-1.

And as long as any of our remaining L's are Quad-1, they'll be minimally damaging. It really helps playing in such a great conference. We're in great shape in KenPom and Torvik. Both of those carry more weight than the AP.

Not currently. Cincy is at NET 78. If they were 75 or better it would be Q1b, but a road loss to NET 78 is Q2a. That is always subject to change - it is so close to Q1.