NCAA Tournament Kicks Off Thursday

0:00On March 19, the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament kicks off its first round Thursday March 19 at neutral sites. Nationwide, with 32 teams advancing to the second round by Fridays in, while the rest head home early. The row to the final four in Indianapolis is now open, packed with high stakes action from the jump, kicking things off at 12.15 pm. Eastern is 8th-seated Ohio State versus 9th-seated TCU, with a winter-facing top overall seed duke, or 16th-seated Sienna next. Another highlight pits 6th-seated BYU, led by freshman scoring machine, AJ Dibanza averaging 25.3 points per game, the top mark-in, Division 1 against 11th-seated Texas. Freshmen are stealing the spotlight this year, topping the scoring charts for 13 of the 68 teams. Fans love the upset potential too. Like 11th-seated South Florida taking on 6th-seated Louisville, who's missing their best player to a back, injury.

1:04Games spread across arenas, and Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, and Portland, on Thursday, shifting to Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. Friday, all broadcasts on CBS, True TV, TNT, and TBS. Second round match-up starts Saturday, March 21st, keeping the bracket drama rolling toward that championship chase.