March Madness TV schedule today: Game times, how to watch NCAA first round

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Matthew Glenesk, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Thu, Mar 19, 2026 ·

3 min read

Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live blog keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Day 1 games.

Make sure the iPad is charged and go get that extra TV from the storage closet.

The first two days of the NCAA Tournament are like Christmas in March. And Thursday kicks off, in earnest, 2026 March Madness with first round play.

Thursday's schedule is below with TV info, including announcer assignments. Get your coffee ready.

What March Madness games are today? How to watch March Madness:

12:15 p.m.:No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU, CBS ( Fubo )
12:40 p.m.:No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy, truTV ( Sling TV )
1:30 p.m.:No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida, TNT ( Sling TV )
1:50 p.m.:No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 High Point, TBS ( Sling TV )
2:50 p.m.:No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena, CBS ( Fubo )
3:15 p.m.:No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese, truTV ( Sling TV )
4:05 p.m.:No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State, TNT ( Sling TV )
4:25 p.m.:No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawai'i, TBS ( Sling TV )
6:50 p.m.:No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 VCU, TNT ( Sling TV )
7:10 p.m.:No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard, CBS ( Fubo )
7:25 p.m.:No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Texas, TBS ( Sling TV )
7:35 p.m.:No. 7 Saint Mary's vs. No. 10 Texas A&M, truTV ( Sling TV )
9:25 p.m.:No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Penn, TNT ( Sling TV )
9:45 p.m.:No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis, CBS ( Fubo )
10 p.m.:No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State, TBS ( Sling TV )
10:10 p.m.:No. 2) Houston vs. No. 15 Idaho, truTV ( Sling TV )

Here's a look at which games each TV broadcast crew pairing will call in the First Four and first round:

1:30 p.m.:No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida, TNT ( Sling TV )
4:05 p.m.:No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State, TNT ( Sling TV )
7:10 p.m.:No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard, CBS ( Fubo )
9:45 p.m.:No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis, CBS ( Fubo )

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