March Madness 2026: Upsets, Announcing Teams, and the Road to Indianapolis
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is already delivering excitement, with 20 teams eliminated after the first round and another 16 facing elimination on Friday. The tournament continues through April 6th, culminating in the championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Early Upsets and Bracket Busters
The first round has already seen its share of upsets, disrupting brackets across the nation. As the tournament progresses, fans are closely watching top seeds like Florida and Arizona to see if they can avoid similar fates. The single-elimination format means any team can be vulnerable on a given day.
Who’s Calling the Games? The 2026 Announcing Teams
CBS and TNT Sports have assembled a strong lineup of commentators for the 2026 tournament. Ian Eagle returns as the lead play-by-play announcer for the Final Four, alongside Bill Raftery and Grant Hill. Tracy Wolfson will provide sideline reporting. Other announcing teams include Brian Anderson and Jim Jackson, Kevin Harlan and Robbie Hummel, and Brad Nessler and Wally Szczerbiak. Gene Steratore is serving as the rules analyst.
Broadcast Coverage: Where to Watch
Fans have multiple options for watching the tournament. Games are being televised across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. CBS is broadcasting 21 games, including the Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen. TBS will also televise 21 games, including the Final Four and Elite Eight. TruTV is airing or simulcasting 23 games, and TNT is airing or simulcasting 15.
For those preferring digital options, the March Madness Live app offers comprehensive coverage. Paramount+ subscribers can access all games televised by CBS, whereas HBO Max subscribers can watch games on TBS, TNT, and truTV.
Key Dates and Tournament Schedule
Here’s a seem at the remaining schedule:
Second Round
Saturday, March 21: Games will be played in Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, and Portland.
Sunday, March 22: Second-round games continue across the same locations.
Sweet Sixteen
Thursday, March 26: Games in Houston and San Jose.
Friday, March 27: Games in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Elite Eight
Saturday, March 28: Games in Houston and San Jose.
Sunday, March 29: Games in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Final Four & Championship
Saturday, April 4: Final Four in Indianapolis.
Monday, April 6: National Championship game in Indianapolis.
Teams Making History
This year’s tournament features several teams making notable appearances. Queens and California Baptist are making their tournament debuts. Tennessee State is appearing for the third time, its first since 1994, and Idaho is back after a 36-year absence. Hofstra is also returning after a 23-year hiatus. Akron and McNeese are each making their third consecutive appearance.
FAQ
Q: How many teams are in the NCAA Tournament?
A: 68 teams participate in the tournament.
Q: Where is the Final Four being held?
A: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Q: When is the National Championship game?
A: April 6th.
Q: How can I watch the games?
A: Games are televised on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, and are available via the March Madness Live app and streaming services like Paramount+ and HBO Max.
Did you know? Queens qualified for the tournament in its first year of eligibility, becoming only the fifth school since 1972 to achieve this feat.
Pro Tip: Utilize the March Madness Live app for live scores, brackets, and streaming access to all games.
Stay tuned for further updates as the tournament progresses! Which teams will make a Cinderella run and who will ultimately cut down the nets in Indianapolis?
Explore more college basketball coverage here.