Men’s March Madness live tracker: Updates from Thursday’s first round

More than 130 days have passed since the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season tipped off.

It has been a season of captivating storylines, from the dominance of the freshman class to Miami (Ohio)’s perfect regular-season run — and it’s about to get even better.

The first round of the 2026 NCAA tournament has finally arrived, with 16 games tipping off Thursday:

• (9) TCU vs. (8) Ohio State: 12:15

• (13) Troy vs. (4) Nebraska: 12:40

• (11) South Florida vs. (6) Louisville: 1:30

• (12) High Point vs. (5) Wisconsin: 1:50

• (16) Siena vs. (1) Duke: 2:50

• (12) McNeese vs. (5) Vanderbilt: 3:15

• (14) North Dakota State vs. (3) Michigan State: 4:05

• (13) Hawai’i vs. (4) Arkansas: 4:25

• (11) VCU vs. (6) North Carolina: 6:50

• (16) Howard vs. (1) Michigan: 7:10

• (11) Texas vs. (6) BYU: 7:25

• (10) Texas A&M vs. (7) Saint Mary’s: 7:35

• (14) Penn vs. (3) Illinois: 9:25

• (9) Saint Louis vs. (8) Georgia: 9:45

• (14) Kennesaw State vs. (3) Gonzaga: 10

• (15) Idaho vs. (2) Houston: 10:10

ESPN reporters are on-site, from Buffalo to Portland, to give you a real-time look at the Madness. Follow along as they and the rest of the staff track all the live action.