In 2015, John Calipari's Kentucky basketball team became the first team in D1 NCAA history to start the season 38-0. 

 

After completing a perfect regular season, the media asked Coach Calipari how his undefeated team was dealing with outside expectations...

 

 “Well, if I had to deal with outside expectations, I would be under the desk in a fetal position. So I don’t worry. 

 

The expectations that we have for ourselves on this team is within us. The only thing I can be concerned with is us being at our best and us having each individual player being coached to bring out the best version of themselves. We show them a lot of video of them at their best. Here’s what you look like at your best. 

 

I want them to visually see it over and over and over. Just be the best version of ourselves. If that’s still not good enough, I promise we’ll be fine. I told the players already, you do your best. If that’s not good enough, I’ll deal with the response, I’ll deal with it. Because these kids right now, what they’ve done and how they’ve done it, it’s been special.” 

 

Outside expectations can derail the focus and freedom with which you play. The ideal response is to continue doubling down on what makes you and your team great. 

 

Outside noise is just that: noise. Control what you can control and block out the noise.