Through the Heart

"A dagger through the heart."

"A stake through the heart."

The first quote is from Drazen Zlovaric. The second is from John Shulman.

There is one thing this team has done tremendously well all year long, and that is play with heart. The Mocs have not done a lot well, especially during this five game losing streak, but they have played with a lot of heart throughout the whole year, including in this losing strreak. This team has fought back from double digit deficits and hung around in games that they have had no business  hanging around in given how they have played.

Last year's Mocs team would have been blown out several times this year. But this team has heart and does not give up.

And that may be the most disturbing thing about the quotes from Zlovaric and Shulman. Was that really what Saturday's game was? Was it the kill shot to the heart of this team? If it was, that is really dangerous. This team may suddenly find themselves getting blown out. Will they be able to win any games the rest of the year if they start playing with a little less effort or a little less heart?

The short answer is no. So the real question is if the Mocs can bounce back. This is the moment that the Mocs must bounce back. They are battling Western Carolina in a winnable but tough game on Thursday night. Can they win the Thursday game?

Honestly, winning and losing is not what I am looking for on Thursday. It's the effort. It's the heart. That's what I'm looking for. If they can play with effort and heart, I won't worry as much about winning or losing.

But another close loss may be the kill shot to the heart.

So, maybe I will worry about winning and losing. After all, let's face it, I always worry about winning and losing.

GO MOCS!