This is the day everything changes.
It finally feels like March Madness
The bracket is set. The debates are over. Now it’s just basketball, all day, nonstop, with seasons ending every hour and new stories being written just as quickly. Thursday is not just the start of the NCAA Tournament. It is the moment where belief meets reality.
You’ll see powerhouse programs like the Duke Blue Devils (32-2) and Michigan Wolverines (31-3) begin what they hope are Final Four runs. You’ll see teams like the South Florida Bulls (25-8) and VCU Rams (27-7) try to prove they are more than just trendy upset picks. And somewhere in the chaos, a name you did not expect will become part of March history.
Sixteen games. No breaks. No second chances.
All times below are Eastern Time.
NCAA Tournament Thursday schedule: tip time and TV channel
All times are Eastern.
Early window
- 12:15 PM: (9) TCU Horned Frogs (22-11) vs. (8) Ohio State Buckeyes (21-12): CBS
- 12:40 PM: (13) Troy Trojans (22-11) vs. (4) Nebraska Cornhuskers (26-6): truTV
- 1:30 PM: (11) South Florida Bulls (25-8) vs. (6) Louisville Cardinals (23-10): TNT
- 1:50 PM: (12) High Point Panthers (30-4) vs. (5) Wisconsin Badgers (24-10): TBS
- 2:50 PM: (16) Siena Saints (23-11) vs. (1) Duke Blue Devils (32-2): CBS
Afternoon window
- 3:15 PM: (12) McNeese Cowboys (28-5) vs. (5) Vanderbilt Commodores (26-8): truTV
- 4:05 PM: (14) North Dakota State Bison (27-7) vs. (3) Michigan State Spartans (25-7): TNT
- 4:25 PM: (13) Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (24-8) vs. (4) Arkansas Razorbacks (26-8): TBS
Evening window
- 6:50 PM: (11) VCU Rams (27-7) vs. (6) North Carolina Tar Heels (24-8): TNT
- 7:10 PM: (16) Howard Bison (23-10) vs. (1) Michigan Wolverines (31-3): CBS
- 7:25 PM: (11) Texas Longhorns (18-14) vs. (6) BYU Cougars (23-11): TBS
- 7:35 PM: (10) Texas A&M Aggies (21-11) vs. (7) Saint Mary's Gaels (27-5): truTV
Late night window
- 9:25 PM: (14) Penn Quakers (18-11) vs. (3) Illinois Fighting Illini (24-8): TNT
- 9:45 PM: (9) Saint Louis Billikens (28-5) vs. (8) Georgia Bulldogs (22-10): CBS
- 10:00 PM: (14) Kennesaw State Owls (21-13) vs. (3) Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-3): TBS
- 10:10 PM: (15) Idaho Vandals (21-14) vs. (2) Houston Cougars (28-6): truTV
Must-watch games that could swing everything
South Florida Bulls vs. Louisville Cardinals
This has all the makings of an upset. South Florida dominated the AAC and comes in confident, while Louisville is dealing with pressure and expectations after an up-and-down season.
VCU Rams vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
VCU’s defensive pressure against North Carolina’s talent is a clash of styles that rarely plays out cleanly. If this game gets uncomfortable, it favors the Rams. No Caleb Wilson is a big deal for the Heels.
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Texas A&M Aggies
One of the most evenly matched games on the board. Saint Mary’s consistency against Texas A&M’s physical style makes this a true toss-up. The Gaels always prove to be pesky.
Michigan Wolverines and Duke Blue Devils begin their run
Michigan enters after falling 80-72 to Purdue in the Big Ten title game, while Duke dominated the ACC all season. Both should advance, but this is March, where expectations can disappear fast.
Houston Cougars close the night
Houston might be the most dangerous team lurking late on the schedule. A 10:10 PM tip against Idaho is just the start of what could be a deep run.
When push comes to shove
There is nothing like this day.
From noon until well past midnight, the NCAA Tournament takes over everything. By the end of the night, half the field is gone. Brackets are already busted. And at least one underdog has everyone’s attention.
This is where March Madness truly begins.