I think fans mindlessly retrofit whatever happens to a narrative that makes sense to them.
If the 2001 team wins the NCAAs, then we all look at the setbacks (Stanford, @UVA, Maryland at home/Boozer's foot) as necessary obstacles that didn't kill us but made us stronger.
If the 2006 team flames out in the s16, we tell a story about the regular season failures (@FSU, Carolina at home) as early warning signs that the team was worn out and couldn't survive the postseason.
I could give other examples, but you see the point. Fans are irrational and retrofit whatever happens to a narrative that makes life make more sense, irrespective of facts.
A movie is not about what it's about; it's about how it's about it.
---Roger Ebert
Some questions cannot be answered
Who’s gonna bury who
We need a love like Johnny, Johnny and June
---Over the Rhine