I wrote in November three goals by which Marquette could receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. They were the following: Finish 8-0 against teams outside KenPom's top-100, finish 7-8 against teams ranked inside KenPom's top-100 (including one top-30 win), and beat Wisconsin.

Marquette beat Wisconsin in December. Done.

The other goals were, um, not done as well.

Marquette finished 7-2 against teams outside KenPom's top-100. Belmont was added into this group as it fell outside the top-100 as its season progressed. A lone loss to the Bruins would've been excusable--it was Marquette's first game of the season-- but a loss at home to DePaul has put the Golden Eagles in desperation-mode for the remainder of the season.

Marquette has played six of the fifteen teams we listed in November as inside KenPom's top-100. The Golden Eagles have finished 2-4 against said teams. One win against Wisconsin, one win against Providence, and four losses to Xavier, Villanova, Georgetown, and Seton Hall. It doesn't help that Marquette has not yet won against a top-30 team.

Most fans knew that Marquette would frustrate at times due to an inexperienced roster, but all are disappointed that the team has struggled to this magnitude for this long. While the Golden Eagles are now entering a stretch that will forever judge their postseason hopes, many have already given up on the idea of Marquette in March. 

Marquette will almost certainly not make the NCAA Tournament. Marquette might not even make the NIT. The fact is, however, that opportunity still remains. The deciding factor will be whether or not the Golden Eagles will fight or fly from the spotlight.

This is the six ways Marquette to save Marquette's season.

1. Beat Butler at home

The Bulldogs, though ranked 38th on KenPom, have not performed well in conference play. Through eight games, the only teams they've beaten are DePaul (twice) and St. John's, the two worst teams in the league. Their losses include Providence (twice), Creighton, Villanova, and Xavier. 

Butler does not have a significant contributor over 6-8. 

The Bulldogs will be without their point guard, Tyler Lewis, on Saturday due to a concussion.

This is Marquette's best opportunity to steal a win and gain momentum into the toughest stretch of its season.

2. Win one of the following four games: Seton Hall (away), Xavier (away), Providence (home), and Creighton (home) 

Marquette isn't going to beat Xavier on the road. It probably won't beat Providence at home, either. Creighton and Seton Hall, however, provide opportunities for wins for the Golden Eagles. While both teams are well-rounded and battle-tested, they also share losses to teams ranked below 100th on KenPom. To beat only one of the two would maintain the possibility of Marquette playing in March.

3. Beat DePaul on the road

Please, for the love of humanity, beat DePaul.

Yes, Marquette lost to DePaul at home. But the Golden Eagles aren't bad enough to lose both games to DePaul (hopefully not, at least).

4. Beat Creighton on the road

This will probably be the toughest task. Creighton is a well-rounded team with size, shooting ability, and a star in Maurice Watson. Stellar performances from everyone on the roster will be necessary to return from Omaha to Milwaukee with a win.

5. Beat Georgetown and Butler back-to-back

After a likely loss to Villanova, Marquette would be 7-9 in the Big East with two winnable games left in the season. The Golden Eagles would have to channel all the talent in the tank to win against both Georgetown and Butler and be considered for the NCAA Tournament. 

It's important to remember that this almost certainly isn't going to happen. But it's equally important to remember that the Golden Eagles, while terrible, still have the opportunity to turn things around. 

The season isn't over yet.

6. Or they could just lose them all and win the Big East Tournament

Basketball never fails to surprise me.