Who is involved
The 2026 NCAA Tournament kicked off with great anticipation following the selections made on Sunday, March 15. Fans across the nation were eager to see how their favorite teams would fare in this year’s March Madness. Historically, this tournament has been a showcase of talent, with unexpected upsets and thrilling finishes becoming the norm. As the tournament unfolds, the excitement is palpable, and the first round promises to deliver some unforgettable moments.
As the clock ticks down to game time, several matchups stand out. No. 7 Kentucky is set to face No. 10 Santa Clara at 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS, a game that many are watching closely. Kentucky, with its storied history in the tournament, is expected to bring its A-game, while Santa Clara hopes to pull off an upset that could shake the bracket. Just moments later, at 12:40 p.m. ET, No. 5 Texas Tech will take on No. 12 Akron on truTV, a matchup that has fans buzzing with excitement.
The action continues as No. 1 Arizona prepares to battle No. 16 LIU at 1:35 p.m. ET on TNT. Historically, No. 1 seeds have a strong track record in the tournament, but the thrill of March Madness lies in its unpredictability. Following this, No. 3 Virginia will face No. 14 Wright State at 1:50 p.m. ET on TBS, another game that could see the underdog rise to the occasion.
As the day progresses, No. 2 Iowa State will meet No. 15 Tennessee State at 2:50 p.m. ET on CBS, followed by No. 4 Alabama against No. 13 Hofstra at 3:15 p.m. ET on truTV. Each of these matchups carries the weight of expectation, with teams looking to make their mark early in the tournament. The excitement builds as No. 8 Villanova takes on No. 9 Utah State at 4:10 p.m. ET on TNT, a game that promises to be a nail-biter.
Later in the evening, No. 6 Tennessee will face No. 11 Miami (Ohio) at 4:25 p.m. ET on TBS, while No. 8 Clemson goes up against No. 9 Iowa at 6:50 p.m. ET on TNT. These games are crucial for teams looking to establish momentum heading into the later rounds of the tournament. The stakes are high, and every point counts as teams vie for a chance to advance.
As the night unfolds, No. 5 St. John’s will clash with No. 12 Northern Iowa at 7:10 p.m. ET on CBS, followed by No. 7 UCLA against No. 10 UCF at 7:25 p.m. ET on TBS. The energy in the arenas will be electric, with fans rallying behind their teams, hoping for a victory that could lead to a deep run in the tournament.
Finally, the day wraps up with No. 2 Purdue facing No. 15 Queens at 7:35 p.m. ET on truTV, and No. 1 Florida going head-to-head with No. 16 Prairie View A&M at 9:25 p.m. ET on TNT. The last match of the day features No. 4 Kansas against No. 13 Cal Baptist at 9:45 p.m. ET on CBS, and No. 2 UConn will take on No. 15 Furman at 10:00 p.m. ET on TBS. The excitement of March Madness scores will soon reflect the outcomes of these pivotal games, and fans are eager to see how the brackets will unfold.
As the tournament progresses, the impact of these games will resonate throughout the basketball community. Each victory not only propels teams forward but also shapes the narrative of this year’s March Madness. With so much at stake, the coming days promise to be filled with thrilling basketball and unforgettable moments.
