The Panthers began the season ranked No. 10 in the country, but find themselves in the midst of a mad scramble to reach the NCAA tournament for the 11th consecutive season. An 0-7 start to Big East play, including an inexplicable 62-39 home loss to Rutgers on Jan. 11, left Pitt in a very deep hole. The Panthers have won three in a row to get off life support, but are still buried near the bottom of the Big East standings.

Coach Jim Calhoun's team won 12 of its first 13 games, but has gone 2-6 since. The defending national champions have been inept offensively at times, especially against zone defenses. They've averaged all of 54 points during their four-game losing streak, including a 44-point showing in Wednesday's loss at Georgetown. Now the Huskies will be without their coach for an undetermined period of time. It was announced Friday that Calhoun was taking an indefinite medical leave to deal with a back condition.

The Musketeers were early-season sensations, rolling to an 8-0 start that included successive victories over Vanderbilt, Purdue, Butler and Cincinnati. But when the emotions of an intense rivalry with Cincy boiled over and a fight erupted on the court, everything changed. Suspensions ensued, and Xavier's depleted lineup proceeded to lose five of its next six games. Guard Tu Holloway (pictured, left) and his teammates are still NCAA tourney contenders, but they need to get their act together in February.

The Cardinals had the look of serious contenders when they raced out to a 12-0 start and were ranked in the top four nationally. However, the Big East has been unkind to them. They lost four of their first five conference games, including a humbling 90-59 loss to Providence on Jan. 10. They've looked hapless at times against zone defenses and presses, and their season ledger reveals they have more turnovers (328) than assists (318). Much of the burden to right the ship will fall to point guard Peyton Siva (pictured).

The Bruins have fallen, and they're having trouble getting up. Thursday night's late collapse at Washington dropped UCLA to 5-5 in Pac-12 play. It's been an uphill road since they opened the season with home losses to Loyola Marymount and Middle Tennessee. Kicking troubled forward Reeves Nelson off the team may have helped keep the peace in the locker room, but it hasn't made the Bruins much more cohesive on the court. Sophomore center Joshua Smith (pictured) has been inconsistent, leaving the Bruins without a true go-to guy.

UConn players are at a loss for words, and they're not alone. The Huskies are one of a handful of teams that, for a variety of reasons, have failed to live up to expectations this season. Keep clicking for a closer look at our not-so-fabulous five.