The excitement of March Madness is already rounding into shape.
The men’s tournament may grab early headlines, but Friday belongs just as much to the women’s bracket, where the pressure hits immediately and the stakes feel just as real. There is no easing into this. For many teams, this is the moment they have been building toward all season.
Power programs like the Texas Longhorns (31-3), LSU Tigers (27-5), and Michigan Wolverines (25-6) step onto the floor expecting to make deep runs. At the same time, teams like the Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-12), fresh off a First Four win, and others across the bracket are trying to prove they belong on this stage.
It is a full day of basketball. Sixteen games. From late morning through the night, the women’s tournament delivers the same tension, urgency, and unpredictability that makes March unforgettable.
All times below are Eastern Time.
NCAA Tournament women’s Friday schedule: tip time and TV channel
All times are Eastern.
Early window
11:30 AM: (3) Duke Blue Devils (24-8) vs. (14) College of Charleston Cougars (27-5): ESPN2
12:00 PM: (3) TCU Horned Frogs (29-5) vs. (14) UC San Diego Tritons (24-8): ESPN
1:30 PM: (8) Oregon Ducks (22-12) vs. (9) Virginia Tech Hokies (23-9): ESPN2
2:00 PM: (6) Baylor Bears (24-8) vs. (11) Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-12): ESPN
2:30 PM: (6) Washington Huskies (21-10) vs. (11) South Dakota State Jackrabbits (27-6): ESPNews
Afternoon window
3:00 PM: (5) Maryland Terrapins (23-8) vs. (12) Murray State Racers (30-3): ESPNU
3:30 PM: (5) Ole Miss Rebels (23-11) vs. (12) Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-9): ESPN2
4:00 PM: (1) Texas Longhorns (31-3) vs. (16) Missouri State Bears (22-12): ESPN
Evening window
5:30 PM: (2) Michigan Wolverines (25-6) vs. (15) Holy Cross Crusaders (22-9): ESPN2
5:30 PM: (4) North Carolina Tar Heels (26-7) vs. (13) Western Illinois Leathernecks (26-5): ESPNews
6:00 PM: (2) LSU Tigers (27-5) vs. (15) Jacksonville Dolphins (24-8): ESPN
6:00 PM: (4) Minnesota Golden Gophers (22-8) vs. (13) Green Bay Phoenix (25-8): ESPNU
Late window
7:30 PM: (5) Michigan State Spartans (22-8) vs. (12) Colorado State Rams (27-7): ESPNews
8:00 PM: (7) NC State Wolfpack (20-10) vs. (10) Tennessee Lady Vols (16-13): ESPN
8:30 PM: (7) Texas Tech Lady Raiders (25-7) vs. (10) Villanova Wildcats (25-7): ESPNU
10:00 PM: (4) Oklahoma Sooners (24-7) vs. (13) Idaho Vandals (29-5): ESPN
Must-watch games that could swing everything
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Baylor Bears
Nebraska (19-12) already has momentum after beating Richmond in the First Four. That matters this time of year. Baylor (24-8) has the edge on paper, but this is not a comfortable matchup for the Bears.
Oregon Ducks vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
Oregon (22-12) and Virginia Tech (23-9) are evenly matched. This feels like one of those games that swings late and reshapes a lot of brackets.
NC State Wolfpack vs. Tennessee Lady Vols
Tennessee (16-13) comes in trying to stop the slide, while NC State (20-10) has been steadier. That contrast makes this one of the more intriguing games of the day.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Colorado State Rams
Colorado State (27-7) has the profile of a team that can absolutely push a favorite. Michigan State (22-8) will need to be sharp early. Khloe Froebe of the Rams will cause major problems for the Spartans.
Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers and Michigan Wolverines headline the day
Friday is about the favorites showing they are ready.
Texas (31-3) enters as one of the top teams in the country and opens against Missouri State. LSU (27-5) and Michigan (25-6) follow later in the day, both expected to advance but fully aware of how quickly things can change.
This is where top seeds are supposed to look dominant.
But March rarely follows expectations for long.
When push comes to shove
The women’s tournament does not take a back seat.
It delivers its own chaos, its own stars, and its own moments that stick with you.
By the end of Friday night, a quarter of the field is gone. New contenders emerge. And just like that, the road to Phoenix starts to come into focus.
That is what makes this time of year different.
It never unfolds the way you expect.