Kansas: The Backpage
1472 Third Ave., at 83rd St.; 212-570-5800
When it comes to the NCAA tournament, it's put-up-or-shut-up time for coach Bill Self. If things go wrong, curse his name alongside the hordes at Backpage which, New York alumni chapter head Doug Glass tells us, will be "overflowing with crimson and blue."

Texas: Stout NYC
133 W. 33rd St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-629-6191
Stout makes its first of two appearances on our list; the New York chapter of the alumni club, the Texas Exes, is hosting all Big 12 and NCAA Tournament games at this 16,000-square-foot beer megaspace, just across the street from MSG.

Georgetown: Village Pourhouse
64 Third Ave., at 11th St.; 212-979-2337
The Village Pourhouse is claimed by Duke as well, but NYC alum chapter member Kirsten Kaufman assures us that “depending on the game and the night, there can be upwards of 200 Hoya fans there." Feel free to cheer on Patrick Ewing Jr., continuing his father's legacy at Georgetown, but make no mistake: This is gentle giant Roy Hibbert's team.

Marquette: Stout NYC
133 W. 33rd St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-629-6191
Tom Crean's Golden Eagles are hanging tough toward the front of the Big East pack but don't look like they'll last come tournament time. Make the most of it with Stout's 200-strong beer list.

University of Connecticut: Red Sky Bar and Lounge
47 E. 29th St., nr. Madison Ave.; 212-447-1820
Avoid distraction from Red Sky's tropical-fish tanks and heat-lamp-equipped rooftop deck and admire instead the play of Jeff Adrien and A.J. Price who, at nearly fifteen points per game each, lead a balanced attack for the Huskies.

Notre Dame: McFadden's
47 800 Second Ave., at 42nd St.; 212-986-1515
The Notre Dame alumni club doesn't organize any official events for its less-heralded basketball team, but that doesn't mean the Fighting Irish don't deserve it. Forward Luke Harangody, a Naismith Award candidate, can well put this team on his back.

Louisville: Proof Bar & Lounge
239 Third Ave., nr. 20th St.; 212-228-4200
In 2005, Rick Pitino led the then-fourth-seeded Louisville on a surprising Final Four run. At the ever-popular Proof, belligerent Cardinals will be hoping for a repeat performance.

Memphis: Rogue
757 Sixth Ave., at W. 25th St.; 212-242-6434
John Calipari's Tigers lost their bid at perfection late in the season against then–No. 2 Tennessee, but a title is still very much in play for the refocused Conference USA standouts. Rogue, a Flatiron grad haven, is sure to be packed.

Xavier: Bar 12
206 E. 34th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-545-9912
The Musketeers have dominated the A-10 but will face stiffer competition come tournament time. Bar 12, a giant Murray Hill lounge, will serve as the base of operations.

Gonzaga: Tonic East
411 Third Ave., at 29th St.; 212-683-7090
This year, the Bulldogs aren't as fierce as in their recent heyday (word to Dan Dickau), but the original mid-major troublemaker can take pride in a likely tenth consecutive NCAA tournament berth. Tonic East's 32 plasmas (including the ones over the urinals) will have every minute of the action.

Related:

• Archive: “Bar Buzz”
• Articles by Amos Barshad