This is a very good defensive team, that plays "clutch" defense as well as any team in my memory- at least recently.

The other great thing is that this team doesn't quit. Last year's team would fall behind double digits, shrug their shoulders, and say, "What's the point? Let's lose by 30." This year's team digs in, and plays defense, and figures that eventually the shots will fall and they will get back into the game. Honestly, the Mocs were awful shooting against Appalachian State (at least the guards were). But through free throws and a few timely baskets, they were able to get back into that game because their defense was shutting down Appy.

They still need to prove to me they can win on the road. Once they start proving they can be a good road team and close some games on the road, then this team could be the team we hoped they'd be preseason.