NCAA Basketball Games Today: Full Schedule, Channels & Streams for March Madness 2026
The most exciting time in college basketball is here! March Madness is in full swing, and if you're looking for the complete rundown of
NCAA Basketball Games Today, you've come to the right place. From heart-stopping upsets in the First Round to the intense battles of the NIT, we've got your ultimate guide to every tip-off, channel, and streaming option available. Get ready to clear your schedule, because today promises a barrage of thrilling collegiate hoops action!
March Madness Kicks Off: NCAA First Round Schedule (Friday, March 20, 2026)
Today marks the pivotal start of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament's First Round, delivering a packed schedule of matchups that will set the tone for the entire bracket. Every game is a high-stakes affair, with lower seeds eyeing an upset and top contenders looking to assert their dominance. Here's your comprehensive guide to the
NCAA First Round Today: Schedule, Channels, and How to Stream:
- 10 Santa Clara vs. 7 Kentucky
- Time ET: 12:15 PM
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+
- Matchup Insight: A classic 7-10 seed battle where Kentucky, often a tournament favorite, will need to be wary of Santa Clara's potential to pull off an early upset. Expect a high-energy start to the day!
- 12 Akron vs. 5 Texas Tech
- Time ET: 12:40 PM
- TV Channel: truTV
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: This 5-12 matchup is a perennial source of upsets. Texas Tech's gritty defense will face a challenging test from an Akron squad looking to make a name for itself. Don't miss this potential Cinderella story in the making!
- 16 Long Island University vs. 1 Arizona
- Time ET: 1:35 PM
- TV Channel: TNT
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: While a 1-16 upset is rare, Arizona will still need to bring their A-game against a Long Island University team playing with nothing to lose. This is a chance for Arizona to send a strong message early.
- 14 Wright State vs. 3 Virginia
- Time ET: 1:50 PM
- TV Channel: TBS
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: Virginia's methodical pace and stifling defense often make them a tough out. Wright State will aim to disrupt that rhythm and create chaos to spring a major upset.
- 15 Tennessee State vs. 2 Iowa State
- Time ET: 2:50 PM
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+
- Matchup Insight: Iowa State, a formidable two-seed, will be heavily favored. However, tournament history is rife with examples of 15-seeds giving top teams a scare. Tennessee State will fight for every possession.
- 13 Hofstra vs. 4 Alabama
- Time ET: 3:15 PM
- TV Channel: truTV
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: Alabama's dynamic offense will be tested by a potentially underrated Hofstra team. A 4-13 matchup always carries upset potential, making this a must-watch for bracketologists.
- 9 Utah State vs. 8 Villanova
- Time ET: 4:10 PM
- TV Channel: TNT
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: The 8-9 seed game is notoriously one of the most balanced and intense matchups. Villanova, with its rich tournament history, will face a tough challenge from a well-coached Utah State squad. Expect this one to go down to the wire.
- SMU/MIAOH vs. 6 Tennessee
- Time ET: 4:25 PM
- TV Channel: TBS
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: Tennessee, often a physically imposing team, will await the winner of a play-in game. This first-round test will gauge their readiness for a deep run.
- 9 Iowa vs. 8 Clemson
- Time ET: 6:50 PM
- TV Channel: TNT
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: Another compelling 8-9 battle, featuring two teams with strong regular seasons. Look for star players to emerge and impact the game in crucial moments.
- 12 Northern Iowa vs. 5 St. John's
- Time ET: 7:10 PM
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+
- Matchup Insight: St. John's will look to avoid the 5-12 upset bug against a Northern Iowa team that knows how to perform on the big stage. This could be a back-and-forth affair!
- 10 UCF vs. 7 UCLA
- Time ET: 7:25 PM
- TV Channel: TBS
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: UCLA's storied program often thrives in March, but UCF presents a difficult opponent in this 7-10 clash. Keep an eye on the defensive intensity from both sides.
- 15 Queens-NC vs. 2 Purdue
- Time ET: 7:35 PM
- TV Channel: truTV
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: Purdue will be aiming for a dominant performance against Queens-NC, but every 15-seed dreams of being *that* team that makes history.
- PVAM/Lehigh winner vs. 1 Florida
- Time ET: 9:25 PM
- TV Channel: TNT
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: Florida will enter as a top seed and a heavy favorite, but the winner of the play-in game will come in with momentum and hunger.
- 13 California Baptist vs. 4 Kansas
- Time ET: 9:45 PM
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+
- Matchup Insight: Kansas is a perennial power, but a 13-seed can certainly catch them off guard. California Baptist will be looking to capitalize on any potential complacency.
- 15 Furman vs. 2 UConn
- Time ET: 10:00 PM
- TV Channel: TBS
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: UConn, a strong two-seed, will face Furman in what promises to be an entertaining late-night showdown. Can Furman create some late-game magic?
- 10 Missouri vs. 7 Miami(FL)
- Time ET: 10:10 PM
- TV Channel: truTV
- Streaming: MAX
- Matchup Insight: This West Coast clash closes out the first day of the First Round. Both teams are capable of making a run, making this a highly anticipated 7-10 game.
Beyond Today: Upcoming NCAA & NIT Action (March 21-28, 2026)
While Friday delivers a full slate of NCAA First Round games, the excitement doesn't stop there. The tournament progresses rapidly, and the NIT also continues with crucial second-round and quarterfinal matchups.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Saturday is dedicated to the
NCAA Second Round, where the winners from Friday will clash in high-stakes games to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. While specific matchups and times aren't yet known, expect a full day of games across the same major networks. Additionally, the
NIT Second Round will feature a morning game:
- NIT Second Round | 11:30 AM ET | ESPN2
Sunday, March 22, 2026
The NCAA Tournament takes a brief pause for a full day of
NIT Second Round games, which continue to narrow down the field for a chance at a championship.
- NIT Second Round | 4:30 PM ET | ESPN2
- NIT Second Round | 6:30 PM ET | ESPN2
- NIT Second Round | 7:00 PM ET | ESPNU
- NIT Second Round | 8:30 PM ET | ESPN2
- NIT Second Round | 9:00 PM ET | ESPNU
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
The NIT tournament heats up with the
Quarterfinals, determining which teams will advance to the semifinals.
- NIT Quarterfinals | 7:00 PM ET | ESPN2
- NIT Quarterfinals | 9:00 PM ET | ESPN2
Thursday, March 26 & Friday, March 27, 2026
The NCAA Tournament returns with the highly anticipated
Sweet 16 rounds on both days. The field will be significantly narrowed, and every game will feature elite teams battling for a spot in the Elite Eight. Exact matchups and times will be confirmed as the bracket progresses.
Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29, 2026
The weekend culminates with the
Elite Eight, where teams will play for a spot in the coveted Final Four. These games are legendary for their intensity and incredible finishes.
For all these future games, stay tuned to official NCAA sources and sports news outlets for updated schedules, times, and broadcast information as teams advance.
Where to Catch All the Action: TV Channels & Streaming Services
With so many
NCAA Basketball Games Today and throughout the tournament, knowing where to watch is key. The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, including the First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, and Elite Eight, is broadcast across a consortium of networks, primarily CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. The NIT tournament, on the other hand, is mostly found on ESPN's family of networks.
Here's a breakdown of the essential channels and streaming platforms:
- CBS: Your home for major national matchups, including key First Round games and later rounds. If you have basic cable, you likely have CBS.
- TNT, TBS, truTV: These Turner Sports channels are the backbone of March Madness coverage. A cable or satellite subscription is typically required to access them. They carry a significant portion of the early rounds.
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU: Crucial for the NIT tournament and often for regular season college basketball throughout the year. You'll need a cable package or a live TV streaming service that includes the ESPN family of networks.
- Paramount+: The streaming home for all CBS Sports games, offering a fantastic option for cord-cutters to catch those specific matchups.
- MAX (formerly HBO Max): This streaming service is your go-to for all games broadcast on TNT, TBS, and truTV. If you're a subscriber, you're all set for a large chunk of the tournament.
- ESPN+: While not carrying the main NCAA Tournament games, ESPN+ is invaluable for regular season Where to Watch College Basketball Today: TV & Streaming Guide, offering out-of-market games and exclusive content, and occasionally NIT games.
- Other Conference Networks: Channels like SEC Network (SECNs), ACC Network (ACCN), and Big Ten Network (Big 10 Networks) are more relevant during the regular season and conference tournaments but are good to keep in mind for future college basketball viewing.
- Additional Streaming Services: Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV offer live access to many of these channels as part of their packages, providing flexible options for streaming. Peacock and FloSports may also carry specific college basketball events throughout the season.
Essential Tips for Enjoying All Ncaa Basketball Games Today
To make the most of today's exhilarating college basketball schedule, consider these practical tips:
- Check Local Listings: While we provide general channels, always verify your local CBS affiliate and the availability of TNT, TBS, and truTV through your specific TV provider.
- Multiple Streaming Options: Given the distribution across different networks and their associated streaming services (Paramount+, MAX), having access to a couple of these can ensure you don't miss any action.
- Set Reminders: With games tipping off rapidly, use your phone or smart TV to set reminders for must-watch matchups, especially those potential upset alerts.
- Follow Live Updates: Keep an eye on reputable sports news sites and social media feeds for real-time scores, injury updates, and bracket projections.
- Prepare Your Snacks and Drinks: It's a marathon, not a sprint! Ensure your viewing setup is comfortable and well-stocked for hours of intense basketball.
- Embrace the Chaos: March Madness is famous for its unpredictability. Don't get too disheartened if your bracket gets busted early; enjoy the pure excitement of college basketball.
Conclusion
Today is a monumental day for college basketball fans, with a full slate of
NCAA Basketball Games Today marking the true beginning of March Madness. From thrilling First Round battles to crucial NIT matchups, there's no shortage of excitement. Whether you're a loyal fan of a top seed, cheering for an underdog, or just love the spectacle of tournament basketball, make sure you're tuned in to every moment. Grab your snacks, settle in, and prepare for a day filled with buzzer-beaters, upsets, and unforgettable collegiate athletic drama!
