Halfway through the Big 12 schedule, the Texas Longhorns have the look of a desperate team.
Losses are mounting and coach Rick Barnes and his players are struggling to find ways to explain close games that end in defeat. Texas is 0-7 in games decided by six points or less and has lost five of its last six.
Now one of the most consistent programs in the country - 13 consecutive NCAA tournaments - is looking at the very real possibility of being left out of the party in March.
The good news? Texas may finally have a chance to turn things around.
A stretch of five ranked opponents in six games is over and the Longhorns (13-9, 3-6 Big 12) get to wallow around in the bottom of the league standings for a while in search of a couple of wins.
Four of the Longhorns' next five opponents are currently under .500 in league play, starting Saturday at Texas Tech (7-13, 0-8).
''It is always disappointing when you are losing. We are going to stay together and we are going to smile,'' said junior guard and team leader J'Covan Brown. ''At the end of the day it hurts ... It starts with me. I have to find a way to get wins.''
Texas certainly had its chances.
Losses to Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor and Missouri have come down to the final seconds. Monday night's 67-66 loss to the No. 4 Tigers was the latest. The Longhorns rallied from 13 points in the second half and took the lead in the final minute on a basket by Brown.
But Texas couldn't stop Missouri's Michael Dixon Jr. from driving to the basket for a late layup that ultimately proved to be the winning basket. Freshman Myck Kabongo missed a baseline jumper to win.
''For some reason, they're just not turning into wins right now,'' Kabongo said.
Texas players, particularly Brown, looked dejected after letting another potential upset get away and suffering another blow to their NCAA tournament hopes. They also resorted to blaming game officials for not calling a possible foul on Kabongo's final shot.
Barnes did too, but softened the complaints about the non-call by pointing out Texas already had a lead in the final minute and couldn't make a defensive stop to win.
''We had two games here, against both Kansas and Missouri, when we needed to get a stop on the other end, and we didn't get it. It's tough when you're trying to get over the hump. It seems like plays like that don't go your way,'' Barnes said.
While an optimist could note that Texas played some of the best teams in the county down to the final seconds, a pessimist might note that all those losses could leave Texas forgetting how to win.
Texas knew a rough season was possible but the Longhorns are off to their worst start in Big 12 play in 14 years. The Longhorns had to replace all five starters from a team that rose as high as No. 3 in the rankings last season. A roster full of freshmen has shown flashes of talent but can't seem to pull out a win.
Most of Texas' struggles have been on offense. While Brown is capable of putting up 30 points or more in a game, he has struggled at home and Texas has yet to find another reliable scorer. The offense was so ragged against Missouri that Texas played nearly 25 minutes before registering its first assist.
The Longhorns are 0-6 against ranked teams and are running out of opportunities for a statement game that will prove they are worthy of making the NCAA tournament. The only two remaining opponents currently ranked are No. 6 Baylor (at home Feb. 20) and No. 8 Kansas (on the road Mar. 3).
''One thing I know about our team,'' Kabongo said, ''we are not going to back down.''
