2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: Schedule, Key Teams, and Early Upsets
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is officially underway, with the First Four games tipping off on Tuesday, March 17th. The tournament, culminating in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4th, features a field of 68 teams vying for the national championship. Defending champion Florida leads the pack as a No. 1 seed, alongside Duke, Arizona, and Michigan.
First Four Matchups (March 17th & 18th)
The First Four games, played on March 17th and 18th, determine the final teams to enter the 64-team bracket. Here’s the schedule:
- Tuesday, March 17th:
- (16) UMBC vs. (16) Howard | 6:40 p.m. ET | truTV
- (11) Texas vs. (11) North Carolina State | 9:15 p.m. ET | truTV
- Wednesday, March 18th:
- (16) Prairie View A&M vs. (16) Lehigh | 6:40 p.m. ET | truTV
- (11) Miami (Ohio) vs. (11) Southern Methodist | 9:10 p.m. ET | truTV
First Round and Beyond
First-round games are scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 19th. While the bracket is still unfolding, early matchups include:
- (8) Ohio State vs. (9) TCU | 12:15 p.m. ET | CBS
- (4) Nebraska vs. (13) Troy | 12:40 p.m. ET | truTV
- (6) Louisville vs. (11) South Florida | 1:30 p.m. ET | TNT
- (5) Wisconsin vs. (12) High Point | 1:50 p.m. ET | TBS
- (1) Duke vs. (16) Siena | 2:50 p.m. ET | CBS
- (5) Vanderbilt vs. (12) McNeese | 3:15 p.m. ET | truTV
- (3) Michigan State vs. (14) North Dakota State | 4:05 p.m. ET | TNT
SEC Dominance
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has a strong presence in the tournament, with 10 teams making the field. Florida, the defending national champion and a No. 1 seed, is looking to repeat its success. Other SEC contenders include Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Tennessee. Arkansas won the SEC Tournament title, further solidifying its position as a national championship threat.
Potential for Upsets
Despite the presence of several No. 1 seeds, the tournament is known for its unpredictable nature. Last season saw four No. 1 seeds reach the Final Four, a rare occurrence. Experts predict a higher likelihood of upsets this year, making the 2026 tournament particularly exciting.
How to Watch
Games are being broadcast across multiple networks, including CBS, truTV, TNT, TBS, and Sling TV.