Having the psychological edge is key. More so in basketball than any other sport I think. Being dialed in can make up for a gap in talent. And having the looser team with nothing to lose can be a big equalizer.
It’s not just a coincidence that Self beat Calipari’s Memphis team and has three double digit tourney wins vs Roy, a win over a loaded Duke team a few years back, and 6 wins in 7 NCAA games vs the Big 10....but couldn’t get past VCU, Northern Iowa, Bradley or Bucknell.
If those four had been wearing UK, Duke or UNC jerseys, they might have been four wins. For the first part of the game, they usually don’t match the energy and intensity level of the opponent. Later in the game, when they realize the situation they’re in, they tighten up.
KU almost always has solid talent, but not usually the elite talent and depth of Kentucky or Duke. They can’t always overwhelm midmajors with sheer talent.