Opening day of March Madness: Tip times, announcer pairing, and viewing guide

Find out who is playing who, when the big games will be going on and how you can watch it all go down.
Charleston v Alabama
Charleston v Alabama | Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Get those sick notes reach, March Madness is here, and it’s time to settle in for a wild day of college basketball. Day 1 of the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64 is packed with thrilling matchups, underdog stories, and buzzer-beaters waiting to happen. Whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore bracketologist, or just want to win your pool; we’ve got you covered on how to watch every game from the comfort of your couch.

Game Schedule for Thursday, March 20 (First Round/Round of 64)

Early Afternoon Matchups

  • 12:15 p.m. – (9) Creighton vs. (8) Louisville || Lexington – Brian Anderson / Jim Jackson // Allie LaForce
  • 12:40 p.m. – (13) High Point vs. (4) Purdue || Providence – Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas // Evan Washburn
  • 1:30 p.m. – (14) Montana vs. (3) Wisconsin || Denver – Brad Nessler / Brendan Haywood // Dana Jacobson
  • 2:00 p.m. – (16) SIU Edwardsville vs. (1) Houston || Wichita – Tom McCarthy / Deb Antonelli, Steve Smith // AJ Ross
  • 2:50 p.m. – (16) Alabama State vs. (1) Auburn || Lexington – Brian Anderson / Jim Jackson // Allie LaForce
  • 3:15 p.m. – (12) McNeese vs. (5) Clemson || Providence – Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas // Evan Washburn
  • 4:05 p.m. – (11) VCU vs. (6) BYU || Denver – Brad Nessler / Brendan Haywood // Dana Jacobson
  • 4:35 p.m. – (9) Georgia vs. (8) Gonzaga || Wichita – Tom McCarthy / Deb Antonelli, Steve Smith // AJ Ross

Evening Thrillers

  • 6:50 p.m. – (15) Wofford vs. (2) Tennessee || Lexington – Brian Anderson / Jim Jackson // Allie LaForce
  • 7:10 p.m. – (10) Arkansas vs. (7) Kansas || Providence – Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas // Evan Washburn
  • 7:25 p.m. – (13) Yale vs. (4) Texas A&M || Denver – Brad Nessler / Brendan Haywood // Dana Jacobson
  • 7:35 p.m. – (11) Drake vs. (6) Missouri || Wichita – Tom McCarthy / Deb Antonelli, Steve Smith // AJ Ross
  • 9:25 p.m. – (10) Utah State vs. (7) UCLA || Lexington – Brian Anderson / Jim Jackson // Allie LaForce
  • 9:45 p.m. – (15) Omaha vs. (2) St. John's || Providence – Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas // Evan Washburn
  • 10:00 p.m. – (12) UC San Diego vs. (5) Michigan || Denver – Brad Nessler / Brendan Haywood // Dana Jacobson
  • 10:10 p.m. – (14) UNCW vs. (3) Texas Tech || Wichita – Tom McCarthy / Deb Antonelli, Steve Smith // AJ Ross

How to Watch

All games will be broadcasted on CBS, truTV, TNT, and TBS. With coverage spanning throughout the day, you’ll never have to miss a moment of the madness. Make sure to have your snacks ready and your remote handy because you’re in for a basketball bonanza!

Streaming Services:
Hulu + Live TV
YouTube TV
Sling TV
FuboTV

Whether you're tuning in for the underdog stories, the high-flying dunks, or just to see if your bracket survives the first day, it's all happening here. Welcome to March Madness. Let the games begin!