So let me set the stage.

Basketball is HUGE in Kentucky — between U of Louisville and U of Kentucky, there's some serious fan and excitement around this state during basketball season.

And last Saturday proved to be no different — the unranked University of Louisville Cardinals were playing the #1 team in the country, Syracuse.

Clearly, on paper, Syracuse wouldn't have a problem.

But whether you're a basketball fan or not, there was something interesting going on here that we all can clearly learn from.

You see, Louisville was playing their last game EVER in a place called Freedom Hall — home of the Louisville Cardinals for nearly 45 years. 

The game was amazing (well, unless you are a Syracuse fan).  At the half, Syracuse was up…

But when Coach Rick Pitino and the Cardinals returned for the 2nd half, Freedom Hall was like an explosion of fans screaming, dressed in all red (Louisville's colors). 

The excitement was second to none for this record crowd watching the Louisville Cardinals play their last game ever in Freedom Hall…

…lots of strong history and Championship Teams have played on that court. 

On paper the #1 team in the country clearly was the "better" team from a basketball perspective. 

But clearly there was some SERIOUS motivation and will to BE the better team that day.

As I thought about this, it reminded me of what coaches used to say to our teams when we were playing sports.

You don't have to BE the best team, but you have to have the DESIRE and DRIVE to play LIKE YOU'RE the best.  You have to WANT IT the most.

How did Louisville come from behind and beat the top ranked team in the country by 10 points?

Was it better skill?  Better conditioning?  Better players?

Or was it that each of the Louisville players had a greater drive, more heart, stronger motivation, and burning desire to win in front of the record setting crowd of adorning fans, screaming at the top of their lungs, as they watched the last game EVER played in this one stadium?

What is YOUR motivation to achieve your goals? 

Define it and work like you've never worked before to attain it.

As famous motivation speaker Zig Ziglar says, "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing – that's why we recommend it daily."