Blackbirds Fever! Where to Watch LIU vs. Michigan State

Brooklyn isn't the first place that comes to mind when it comes to college basketball powerhouses. Heck, it's not even the first borough (), but times they are a-changin'.

With the men’s squad headed to the big dance for the second straight year, facing off against No. 1 Michigan State in Columbus on Friday, Fort Greene will be near the center of some serious basketball action.

And Barclays Center isn't even open yet.

Here are our top places in and around the neighborhood to watch the game. GO BLACKBIRDS!

Tip off is 9:20 p.m. Friday on TBS.

, 710 Fulton St., Fort Greene. The only game we've ever seen here has been of the foosball variety—but we like the idea of taking in steins of uber-German suds while trying to learn all the names of the players on the LIU men’s team.

, 80 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene. This pick isn't influenced by the fact that Mo's will be hosting Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch's —at all.  Mo's makes the list because we like the comfortably lit atmosphere. And the $2 PBRs.

, 660 Fulton St., Fort Greene. A real neighborhood joint. Come and hang with neighbors and talk about the good old days, before there was such a thing as the Barclays Center, $1,800 a month studio apartments and an LIU Brooklyn team that totally rocks.

, 755 Dean St., Prospect Heights. Forgive us as we reach out of the neighborhood for this pick, but there is a chance that you'll see on a bar stool during Happy Hour before game time.

WRAC, 1 University Place, Fort Greene. For those toting smartphones (with decent reception), may we suggest forming your own Flash Mob outside the Blackbird's home roost at the WRAC and follow live updates from the game, courtesy of CBSsports.com?

, 71 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene. A good place to watch games... any games. Also serves perhaps the best fish-and-chips in Greene Hill.