Ncaa Schedule: March Madness round of 64 tips off Thursday as key games set the day’s viewing map

The ncaa schedule for men’s March Madness opens Thursday with the round of 64, putting bracket-watchers straight into a full-day slate of nationally televised games in Eastern Time (ET).

What happens when the Ncaa Schedule starts with an early CBS tip?

The day begins with an afternoon CBS window headlined by a matchup between number eight Ohio State and number nine TCU. The leadoff game is set for 12: 15 p. m. ET on CBS, marking the start of the round of 64 action.

That opening slot is immediately followed by another CBS game: overall number one seed Duke against 16th seed Siena at 2: 50 p. m. ET. With two consecutive games on CBS to begin the day, the early viewing path is clear for fans tracking major seeds from the start of the tournament.

What if viewers pivot from CBS to TNT as the afternoon unfolds?

Later in the afternoon, attention shifts to TNT for a matchup in the East Bracket: third-seeded Michigan State against 14th seed North Dakota State. That game is scheduled for 4: 05 p. m. ET on TNT, offering a separate national broadcast window as the round of 64 continues.

This TNT slot adds a key programming alternative for tournament followers balancing multiple games, while maintaining the same Thursday momentum that begins earlier on CBS.

What happens when the primetime Ncaa Schedule stacks multiple CBS games late?

In the evening, the Midwest’s number one seed Michigan is scheduled to play Howard on CBS, with a 7: 10 p. m. ET tip-off. The night then closes on CBS with number eight Georgia facing number nine St. Louis at 9: 45 p. m. ET.

Across the day’s lineup, the ncaa schedule establishes a clear progression from midday through late night, with multiple games anchored on CBS and one major afternoon matchup on TNT.

The tournament slate also triggers local programming adjustments: WSBT22 will not have news at 12 p. m. or 4 p. m. on Thursday.