In a series of recent basketball games, Kansas, Marquette, and Gonzaga all faced setbacks that could have a significant impact on their hopes for the NCAA tournament.

Kansas, known for its strong basketball program, missed out on a golden opportunity to reclaim the top spot as they suffered a 65-60 defeat to UCF just three days after a 78-66 home victory over Oklahoma. While the victory over Oklahoma will add value to the Jayhawks' NCAA tournament résumé, the loss to UCF highlights their inability to maintain a consistent performance. The Knights, despite trailing by as many as 16 points, made an impressive comeback in the second half with Darius Johnson and Jaylin Sellers combining for 35 points in the upset.

The defeat also indirectly affected Marquette, as it impacted their standing in the Big East. Marquette, previously generating momentum from their successful run in the Maui Invitational, which included a 14-point win over Kansas, has now dropped two consecutive games to unranked opponents. In their most recent match against Butler, Marquette struggled, shooting only 32.9 percent from the floor and going 5-of-31 from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles' downturn has resulted in a ten-spot drop in the AP poll between Weeks 9 and 11.

Meanwhile, out west, Gonzaga is facing a potential dire situation. This season could mark the first time that the Zags miss out on the NCAA tournament under head coach Mark Few. A narrow one-point loss to Santa Clara pushed Gonzaga out of the Top 25 rankings, leaving them with little room for error. The team's hopes of securing an at-large berth may now heavily rely on their upcoming February 10 matchup against Kentucky.

These recent developments have left fans and analysts questioning the NCAA tournament prospects of these teams. Kansas's inconsistency, Marquette's declining performance, and Gonzaga's uncertain standing have created an atmosphere of uncertainty as the teams approach crucial games in the coming weeks.

As the tournament draws closer, each of these teams will need to regroup, refocus, and make the necessary adjustments to strengthen their resumes and solidify their spots in the NCAA tournament. Only time will tell if they can successfully overcome their recent setbacks and secure their places among college basketball's elite.