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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: February 21, 2009

Bubble trouble?

It's that time of year.

With conference tournaments approaching and the NCAA Tournament's 65-team field being unveiled on March 15, there's growing clarity at the top. Oklahoma, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Connecticut are looking good for No. 1 seeds.

But in the gray area - the infamous bubble - several teams are headed down the stretch in various stages of desperation.

Here are five teams that must finish strong to clinch an NCAA bid.

•Florida (20-6, 7-4 SEC) - The way this season has developed, the Gators might need a strong run during the SEC Tournament in Tampa. It's an off-year in the SEC, so the league's power rating isn't going to help. There's a nonconference win against Washington, the lone bright spot in an otherwise soft slate. The late-season SEC schedule has been laborious, including a loss against Georgia, which was winless in the league. What's left? Vanderbilt, at LSU, Tennessee, at Mississippi State, Kentucky. If the Gators go 3-2, then bag another victory in Tampa, they should be secure. Last season's late collapse is a reminder of Florida's thin line between the NCAA and NIT.

•Georgetown (14-10, 5-8 Big East) - One of the nation's most perplexing teams. The Hoyas have wins against Memphis, Connecticut and Syracuse. Yet Wednesday night's 65-40 victory at USF was just their second in the past nine games. Georgetown might be ticketed for a Tuesday opener in the Big East Tournament - needing an unthinkable five straight wins to capture the crown - but the first order of business is squaring up the regular-season league record. Still remaining: Marquette, Louisville, at Villanova, at St. John's, DePaul.

•Kansas State (18-8, 6-5 Big 12) - The Wildcats are nearing the 20-victory mark, but their resume lacks beef. They were swept by Kansas - either of those games could have been a statement-making moment - and are relying on victories against Missouri and Texas. If K-State gets the sweep against Missouri on Wednesday, its chances receive a large boost.

•Michigan (17-10, 7-7 Big Ten) - The Wolverines are staying alive after Thursday night's 74-62 home win against Minnesota. But three of Michigan's final four regular-season games are on the road. If the Wolverines don't fall apart, they bring some nice nonconference chips (wins against UCLA and Duke) to the table.

•Virginia Tech (16-9, 6-5 ACC) - Coach Seth Greenberg's Hokies, on a 2-4 skid, were dealt a blow with Wednesday night's 75-61 loss at bottom-feeding Virginia. That practically makes tonight's home game against Florida State a must-win situation, considering Virginia Tech's closing schedule (at Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, at FSU).

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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