01/08/2026
The Standard of Excellence: Lessons from the XL Center
The atmosphere in Hartford last night was electric, as it often is when the UConn women’s basketball team takes the court. But as the lead over St. John’s stretched toward forty points, a different kind of story began to emerge. One that had less to do with the scoreboard and more to do with the philosophy of greatness.
The final score, a commanding 88-43 victory for the Huskies, was a classic "blowout." Yet, if you watched closely, the intensity on the floor never wavered. Even with a massive lead, the players were diving for loose balls, communicating on defensive rotations, and sprinting in transition as if the game were tied.
This is the living embodiment of the "practice like you play" mantra. In many arenas of life, whether in sports, business, or personal craft, there is a common temptation to "coast" once success seems guaranteed. We often tell ourselves we will turn the intensity back up when the challenge gets harder.
The Huskies prove that excellence is not a faucet you can turn on and off.
The Danger of the Blowout
In a blowout, the greatest opponent isn't the team in the other jersey; it’s complacency. When the stakes feel low because the outcome is decided, human nature invites us to cut corners.
- The Slippage: A late rotation here, a lazy pass there.
- The Cost: These small lapses form habits. If you allow yourself to play at 70% because you are winning by 30, you are training your brain to accept 70% as an acceptable standard.
Why Relentlessness Matters
Watching UConn last night, it was clear that they weren't playing against St. John’s as much as they were playing against their own "Standard of Excellence." By maintaining a "practice like you play" mentality during a blowout, they achieve three critical things:
1. Muscle Memory for Pressure: By executing perfectly when it's "easy," the movements become second nature when the National Championship is on the line.
2. Respect for the Game: High-level performance is a tribute to the work put in behind the scenes. To play poorly just because you are winning is to disrespect the hours spent in the gym.
3. Integrity of Effort: Longtime fans and friends in the stands don't just show up to see a win; they show up to see a masterclass. Relentless effort is a promise kept to the audience and the teammates beside you.
Applying the Husky Standard
Next time you find yourself "winning" in your professional or personal life, perhaps you’ve hit your targets early, or a project is sailing smoothly, remember the scene in Hartford.
The goal isn't just to beat the opponent; it’s to ensure that your performance remains consistent regardless of the score. Excellence isn't a destination you reach and then stop; it is the pace you keep from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer.
