Disappointment is not a regular destination for Xavier University's men's basketball program, but after Wednesday's 70-69 first-round loss to Butler in the Big East Conference Tournament, it's where the Musketeers find themselves once again.
Over the last two decades, Xavier's become accustomed to playing its way into the NCAA Tournament, not playing its way out.
But that's exactly where the situation stands at the moment for the Musketeers.
When Xavier's 19-point first-half lead disappeared down the stretch Wednesday, its chances of earning an at-large bid to the big dance likely disappeared as well.
Most bracketologists had Xavier as one of the last four teams in the field when Wednesday started and when the day ended with a loss it put Xavier on the wrong side of the bubble, staring at a situation where the Musketeers are now in need of some sort of miracle before Sunday to change the outcome.