Tuscaloosa, Ala. ? Alabama was ranked No. 1 briefly, Indiana reached last year’s national title game, and Texas Tech coach Bob Knight always has his teams ready when it matters.

It matters now.

Those three schools are among 10 or so prominent programs that might not even make the NCAA Tournament field unless they impress during this week’s conference tourneys.

In a bit of good news for those “bubble teams,” one NCAA berth opened up Monday when Georgia — ranked 21st and a lock to make the field — withdrew from the SEC and NCAA tournaments after an internal investigation uncovered academic fraud involving three players.

“I think every basketball player and coach in America is looking at the NCAA Tournament and what needs to happen or how it will play out,” said Alabama coach Mark Gottfried, presumably looking harder than most.

No team has failed to get an NCAA invitation after rising to No. 1 since North Carolina State in 1974-75, when only one team from each conference made the field. Now, with an expanded, 65-team field, the Southeastern Conference alone has three available teams considered locks and as many bubble teams, with Alabama trying not to fall all the way from No. 1 to the NIT.

Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee are hoping to erase doubt with strong league-tournament performances this weekend in New Orleans.

Indiana can relate. So can Texas Tech and former head Hoosier Bob Knight, North Carolina State, Seton Hall, Minnesota, DePaul and Oregon, among others.

Already no sure bet, the Hoosiers (18-11 overall, 8-8 Big Ten Conference) closed the regular season with a 74-66 loss to Penn State, a team that finished 2-14 in the league.

Oops.

The teams meet again Thursday in the Big Ten tournament in Chicago, and coach Mike Davis figures a win or two should convince the NCAA selection committee.

“We’d be six games over .500 if we lose Thursday,” Davis said, “but I don’t think we’re going to lose Thursday.”

Knight and Co. will need a huge run at the Big 12 tournament to make the NCAA field. It won’t be the same without him: No Knight-coached team has had to play in the NIT since 1985. Three of his teams won NCAA national championships.

He said Tech (16-11, 6-10) probably would need to win the league tournament to make the NCAA field for the second straight year.

The SEC’s situation is wild enough that stress rather than excessive consumption could lead to a run on antacids in the Big Easy this weekend.

Coaches of the highly rated league have lobbied for placing seven or even eight teams in the tournament, but the SEC never has had more than six. Florida, Kentucky, and Mississippi State all are considered sure bets with the four hopefuls — as was Georgia.

Not necessarily, according to the team power ratings. Only Alabama (33) and Auburn (39) are rated in the Top 40, while LSU (41) and Tennessee (50) aren’t too far behind — bubble territory for at-large berths.

Seton Hall (16-11, 10-6 Big East) also boasts solid power ratings at No. 36. The Pirates lost their final two games after winning nine straight.

Oregon (20-9, 10-8 PAC 10) has the wins but is a modest No 53 in the power ratings and lost its final two games.

“Pure and simple, we aren’t in the tournament,” guard James Davis said. “We’re a bubble team now.”

Join the crowd.