More than 130 days have passed since the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season tipped off.
It has been a season of captivating storylines, from the dominance of the freshman class to Miami (Ohio)’s perfect regular-season run — and it’s about to get even better.
The first round of the 2026 NCAA tournament has finally arrived, with 16 games tipping off Thursday:
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(9) TCU vs. (8) Ohio State: 12:15
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(13) Troy vs. (4) Nebraska: 12:40
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(11) South Florida vs. (6) Louisville: 1:30
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(12) High Point vs. (5) Wisconsin: 1:50
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(16) Siena vs. (1) Duke: 2:50
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(12) McNeese vs. (5) Vanderbilt: 3:15
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(14) North Dakota State vs. (3) Michigan State: 4:05
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(13) Hawai’i vs. (4) Arkansas: 4:25
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(11) VCU vs. (6) North Carolina: 6:50
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(16) Howard vs. (1) Michigan: 7:10
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(11) Texas vs. (6) BYU: 7:25
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(10) Texas A&M vs. (7) Saint Mary’s: 7:35
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(14) Penn vs. (3) Illinois: 9:25
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(9) Saint Louis vs. (8) Georgia: 9:45
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(14) Kennesaw State vs. (3) Gonzaga: 10
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(15) Idaho vs. (2) Houston: 10:10
ESPN reporters are on-site, from Buffalo to Portland, to give you a real-time look at the Madness. Follow along as they and the rest of the staff track all the live action.