Eggleston's Take: On the devastating loss to Harvard

You'd be amazed at how fast several thousand people can disappear. Ten minutes after a hard-fought loss a few of the Quaker players will trickle out of the locker room to glad hand the remaining smattering of family, friends, and media members. Some will ask questions, some will give answers, but almost all will give a supportive pat on the back and a version of "You played a great game." Players train year round to run up and down the court, banging bodies for forty minutes, but the toughest part of some nights is having to muster a weak smile and say, "Thanks."

Next comes that slow, westward trudge up campus. The incline always seems a little steeper walking home after a loss. Buzzing with excitement only a few hours ago, campus is now a ghost town. All you have surrounding you are replays, these infernal, unceasing replays of turnovers, missed shots, and defensive breakdowns. You'd like to speed up and walk away from them but your tired legs won't allow it.

The Quakers will acknowledge that they didn't play their best tonight. Despite that they still fought to the end and gave themselves an opportunity to win the game. As frustrating as this loss is, the schedule is indifferent. Dartmouth will arrive Saturday night desperately looking for their first Ivy win. That's the beauty of League play; Saturday always follows Friday. Penn will have a chance to move forward and show that they're still a contender in the title race.