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:
(9) TCU vs. (8) Ohio State: 12:15
(13) Troy vs. (4) Nebraska: 12:40
(11) South Florida vs. (6) Louisville: 1:30
(12) High Point vs. (5) Wisconsin: 1:50
(16) Siena vs. (1) Duke: 2:50
(12) McNeese vs. (5) Vanderbilt: 3:15
(14) North Dakota State vs. (3) Michigan State: 4:05
(13) Hawai'i vs. (4) Arkansas: 4:25
(11) VCU vs. (6) North Carolina: 6:50
(16) Howard vs. (1) Michigan: 7:10
(11) Texas vs. (6) BYU: 7:25
(10) Texas A&M vs. (7) Saint Mary's: 7:35
(14) Penn vs. (3) Illinois: 9:25
(9) Saint Louis vs. (8) Georgia: 9:45
(14) Kennesaw State vs. (3) Gonzaga: 10
(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.
