Purdue: Dorrian’s Red Hand
1616 Second Ave., at 84th St.; 212-772-6660
The legendary Gene Keady and his legendary comb-over are long gone, but young coach Matt Painter’ has the Boilermakers flying right. Fun fact: Dorrian’s, the designated Purdue HQ, is the place where Preppie Killer Robert Chambers met his victim back in 1986.
Michigan State: Blondies Sports
212 W. 79th St., nr. Amsterdam Ave.; 212-362-4360
The Spartans, with five conference losses, have been a bit of a disappointment. That can all change, however, with a few big games from sharpshooting senior guard Drew Neitzel. Either way, we suggest not parking your car near the collegiate staple Blondies.
Wisconsin: Mad River Bar and Grille
1442 Third Ave., nr. 82nd St.; 212-988-1832
The Badgers are the cream of the conference and will look to avenge last year’s second-round exit from the Big Dance by doing damage with their savvy seniors. You can focus on doing damage to Mad River’s greasy apps, half off on Friday nights.
Indiana: Proof Bar & Lounge
239 Third Ave., nr. 20th St.; 212-228-4200
Indiana’s hung tough since coach Kelvin Sampson resigned for violating recruiting regulations, but common logic states that making a title run with an interim coach might be too tall an order. The Hoosiers in attendance, eyes glued to Proof’s giant projection screen, may well point you toward the 1989 NCAA champion Michigan Wolverines and Steve Fischer, their, yes, interim coach.
University of North Carolina: Brother Jimmy’s Midtown
416 Eighth Ave., at 31st St.; 212-967-7603
Brother Jimmy’s sells itself as an ACC hot spot, but March won’t be as inviting for the rest of the conference, as the New York Carolina Club takes over the chain’s midtown locale to root for hard-nosed forward Tyler Hansbrough and the powerful Tarheels.
Duke: Village Pourhouse
64 Third Ave., at 11th St.; 212-979-2337
The Pourhouse’s Guitar Hero Tuesdays and Wii Tennis Mondays are great and all, but the ardor and solidarity of the Dukies, arguably the most hated squad in all of college hoops, should be a sight to behold.
Stanford: Town Tavern
134 W. 3rd St., nr. Macdougal St.; 212-253-6955
The Cardinal Young Alumni group books Town Tavern with good reason(s): eleven plasmas, a 72-inch projection screen, half-off mixed drinks, and buckets of Bud Light for only $10 during all March Madness games.
Washington State: Proof Bar & Lounge
239 Third Ave., nr. 20th St.; 212-228-4200
WSU, not a traditional Pac-10 powerhouse, has quietly strung together two excellent seasons. If the Cougars continue to overachieve, look for Proof (also the home court for NYC Hoosiers) to be the center of attention.
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.