Barclays Center Tries to Solidify College Hoops Cred

When the Brooklyn Nets play their first game at Barclays Center , they'll know who is the main attraction behind this multi-million dollar project.

However, Barclays is also trying to draw attention not only on the professional basketball side of things, but on the college hoops circuit as well.

On Tuesday, the organization announced the Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival, featuring two head-to-head matchups between four powerhouse teams—including an Invitational pitting Fort Greene's own squad against Seton Hall.

"These games will provide a charged atmosphere at Barclays Center as we deliver major college basketball to Brooklyn," said Barclays CEO Brett Yormark. "We are committed to elevating Barclays Center into a significant national collegiate sports venue."

While a still-under construction Barclays hasn't achieved the college basketball prominence of its Manhattan rival Madison Square Garden—home to the NCAA Big East tournament later this month—the organization seems committed to making Brooklyn a bigger part of March Madness in the future.

That includes wooing invitationals and tournaments taking place in the East and across the nation.

For now, at least, the college hoops excitement at Barclays will have to wait, with the Winter Festival hitting the arena's (almost) brand-new boards on Dec. 15 and the Invitational on Dec. 22.