Today, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament roars to life with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. Four play-in games tip off the madness, offering a thrilling appetizer before the full 64-team feast unfolds.
In these high-stakes battles, underdogs get their moment. Conference champions with middling records fight for a chance to dance with the big boys. Last-minute buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories often begin right here, on the First Four stage.
This year’s matchups pit hungry contenders in a desperate fight for survival. Will mid-major magic prevail, or will established programs stamp their tickets to the main bracket? The drama unfolds tonight, with every possession a battle cry and every bucket a potential springboard to glory.
Where To Watch March Madness 2024 Live Online & on TV?
March Madness is here! If you’re itching to witness these college basketball battles unfold live, here’s your guide to catching all the action:
Traditional Cable/Satellite TV:
- The bulk of the NCAA Tournament will be broadcasted across four channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.
- Check your cable or satellite TV provider’s channel lineup to see if you have access to these channels.
Live TV Streaming Services:
- If you’ve ditched cable, fret not! Several live TV streaming services offer these channels, allowing you to watch March Madness from the comfort of your couch. Popular options include:
- Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ Bundle: This bundle combines traditional channels with ESPN+, giving you access to every March Madness game, including the women’s tournament.
- YouTube TV: Offers all four of the tournament channels alongside other sports networks.
- Sling TV: Choose a package that includes the necessary channels, but be aware, some packages may not cover all four channels.
- FuboTV: Another option with all four tournament channels included in some packages.
Subscription Services with Limited Access:
- Paramount+ with Showtime (Max Add-on for B/R Live): This combo provides access to some games through CBS and Turner Sports broadcasts, but may not cover all matchups.
Free Options (with a Catch):
- March Madness Live app/website: This official app allows you to watch some games for free, but requires a cable or satellite TV subscription for most content. You may be able to view a limited preview before needing to log in.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness 2024 Date
Here is the schedule for March Madness 2024, which started with the Selection Sunday on March 17. The NCAA tournament games then get underway with the First Four on Tuesday, March 19:
- Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 17 on CBS
- First Four: March 19-20
- First round: March 21-22
- Second round: March 23-24
- Sweet 16: March 28-29
- Elite Eight: March 30-31
- Final Four: Saturday, April 6 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
- NCAA championship game: Monday, April 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
2024 NCAA tournament schedule
Tuesday, March 19 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)
- (16) Wagner vs. (16) Howard | 6:40 p.m.
- (10) Colorado State vs. (10) Virginia | 9:10 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)
- (16) Grambling vs. (16) Montana State | 6:40 p.m.
- (10) Colorado vs. (10) Boise State | 9:10 p.m.
Thursday, March 21 (Round of 64)
- (8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Michigan State | 12:15 p.m.
- (6) BYU vs. (11) Duquesne | 12:40 p.m.
- (3) Creighton vs. (14) Akron | 1:30 p.m.
- (2) Arizona vs. (15) Long Beach State | 2 p.m.
- (1) North Carolina vs. (16) Howard/(16) Wagner | 2:45 p.m.
- (3) Illinois vs. (14) Morehead State | 3:10 p.m.
- (6) South Carolina vs. (11) Oregon | 4 p.m.
- (7) Dayton vs. (10) Nevada | 4:30 p.m.
- (7) Texas vs. (10) Colorado State/(10) Virginia | 6:50 p.m.
- (3) Kentucky vs. (14) Oakland | 7:10 p.m.
- (5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese | 7:25 p.m.
- (2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State | 7:35 p.m.
- (2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter’s | 9:20 p.m.
- (6) Texas Tech vs. (11) NC State | 9:40 p.m.
- (4) Kansas vs. (13) Samford | 9:55 p.m.
- (7) Washington State vs. (10) Drake | 10:05 p.m.
Friday, March 22 (Round of 64)
- (8) Florida Atlantic vs. (9) Northwestern | 12:15 p.m.
- (3) Baylor vs. (14) Colgate | 12:40 p.m.
- (5) San Diego State vs. (12) UAB | 1:45 p.m.
- (2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky | 2 p.m.
- (1) UConn vs. (16) Stetson | 2:45 p.m.
- (6) Clemson vs. (11) New Mexico | 3:10 p.m.
- (4) Auburn vs. (13) Yale | 4:15 p.m.
- (7) Florida vs. (10) Colorado/(10) Boise State | 4:30 p.m.
- (8) Nebraska vs. (9) Texas A&M | 6:50 p.m.
- (4) Duke vs. (13) Vermont | 7:10 p.m.
- (1) Purdue vs. (16) Grambling/Montana State | 7:25 p.m.
- (4) Alabama vs. (13) College of Charleston | 7:35 pm.
- (1) Houston vs. (16) Longwood | 9:20 p.m.
- (5) Wisconsin vs. (12) James Madison | 9:40 p.m.
- (8) Utah State vs. (9) TCU | 9:55 p.m.
- (5) Saint Mary’s vs. (12) Grand Canyon | 10:05 p.m.
A Look at Today’s March Madness Play-In Games
The clock strikes zero, the buzzer sounds, and pandemonium erupts! That’s the potential scenario for each of tonight’s First Four games, the thrilling tip-off to the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Here’s a closer look at the matchups that will determine which teams get to dance in the main bracket:
No. 16 Howard vs. No. 16 Wagner
This battle features two historic programs hungry for their first NCAA Tournament win since the early 2000s. Howard, boasting a talented backcourt, will face a physical Wagner squad known for its suffocating defense. Expect a close, grind-it-out affair with a potential upset brewing.
No. 10 Colorado State vs. No. 10 Virginia
A heavyweight clash kicks off the East Region with both teams looking to bounce back from disappointing regular seasons. Colorado State boasts a size advantage, while Virginia relies on its signature pack-line defense. This game could come down to experience, with Virginia aiming to outlast a hungry Rams squad.
March Madness Stars: Who to Watch in 2024
The NCAA Tournament is here, and with it comes a chance to witness the next college basketball superstars. From seasoned veterans to breakout freshmen, keep your eye on these players as they battle for national glory:
Established Stars:
- Rob Dillingham (Kentucky Wildcats): This electrifying freshman point guard can score in bunches and orchestrate the offense. Look for him to lead Kentucky’s high-octane attack.
- Reed Sheppard (Kentucky Wildcats): Dillingham’s backcourt partner, Sheppard is a lights-out shooter with a knack for clutch baskets.
- Donovan Clingan (UConn Huskies): A double-double machine, Clingan anchors the paint for UConn with his relentless rebounding and interior scoring.
- Dalton Knecht (Tennessee Volunteers): A versatile forward, Knecht can stretch the floor with his shooting and overpower opponents in the post.
Rising Stars:
- Zach Edey (Purdue Boilermakers): This towering center is a defensive force and a mismatch nightmare on offense.
- Mikey Williams (Southern California Trojans): A high school phenom, Williams is a highlight reel waiting to happen with his dazzling scoring ability.
- Jaden Bradley (Arkansas Razorbacks): A defensive stopper with a developing offensive game, Bradley is a key cog in Arkansas’ title push.
- Dariq Whitehead (Duke Blue Devils): Another top recruit, Whitehead is a dynamic scorer who can create his own shot and attack the rim.
These are just a few names to watch. As the tournament unfolds, expect unexpected heroes to emerge and future NBA stars to be born. Tune in and witness March Madness magic!
