March Madness games on today, TV schedule for First Four on March 17

The 2026 NCAA Tournament officially kicks off on Tuesday night, with a doubleheader to get the First Four underway. Action will begin at 6:40 p.m. ET, with both games taking place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

In the opening game of the night, the UMBC Retrievers face off against the Howard Bison. UMBC arrived in Dayton late after a brief weather delay, but is ready to compete for the No. 16 seed.

The winner of UMBC and Howard will secure the No. 16 seed in the Midwest and will face No. 1 seed Michigan in the Round of 64. The Wolverines are the tournament’s No. 3 overall seed.

— Watch NCAA Tournament First Four on Sling TV —

In the nightcap, the Texas Longhorns will battle it out with the North Carolina State Wolfpack for the No. 11 seed in the West Region. The winner advances to the Round of 64 to face the No. 6-seeded BYU Cougars.

Mar 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack forward Darrion Williams (1) reacts after scoring against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Every First Four game will air live on truTV leading up to the start of the tournament on Thursday.

When will your favorite team be taking the court?

All of the information you need to tune into the First Four action on Tuesday night can be seen below.

— Watch NCAA Tournament First Four on Sling TV —

NCAA Tournament First Four TV Schedule

Mar 21, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view of the “March Madness” logo prior to the game between the Robert Morris Colonials and the Alabama Crimson Tide during the NCAA Tournament First Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Tuesday, March 17

MIDWEST REGION: No. 16 UMBC vs. No. 16 Howard | 6:40 p.m. | truTV
WEST REGION: No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 North Carolina State | 9:15 p.m. | truTV