With five losses in seven games, making the bubble closer, it would be understandable for Butler fans to despair and consider this a lost basketball season.
Reality is more complex.
The Bulldogs, once considered securely in the NCAA tournament, cannot be so sure after losing to Seton Hall 77-70 Saturday night at Newark, N.J.
It was another opportunity for Kelan Martin to showcase his All-America credentials — he scored 25 of his 35 points in the second half and wrapped up the Big East scoring title.
It was win-and-you’re-in. Forget the Big East tournament.
That tournament might not matter to the Bulldogs, whose 9-9 record in the nation’s third-rated conference is why they left the Horizon League for the Big East.