If you woke up this morning wondering are there any college games on today, the answer is a massive, resounding yes. Sunday, January 18, 2026, is basically a "clear the calendar" kind of day. We aren't talking about some random early-season warmups either. We are deep into conference play now. This is when the rankings actually start to shake out and teams realize whether they’re headed for a deep March run or just playing for pride.
The schedule is honestly packed. From the Big Ten to the SEC and out to the Big 12, there’s a little bit of everything. Whether you’re looking for a top-ten showdown or just a local rivalry to sweat over, Sunday’s slate has you covered.
The Heavy Hitters: Men’s Basketball Today
The biggest game on the men’s side is arguably happening in Houston. We’ve got Arizona State heading into the Fertitta Center to take on a top-ten Houston squad at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN. Houston has been a defensive juggernaut lately, and watching them try to stifle the Sun Devils' guards is going to be high-level basketball. If you like gritty, physical defense, don't miss this one.
Earlier in the day, the AAC and Big Ten are taking over. Florida Atlantic is at Temple at noon (ESPNU), which is always a weird, tough environment for visitors. At that same time, Penn State is visiting Maryland. The Terps' home-court advantage at the XFINITY Center is no joke.
Here is how some of the key men's matchups look for the afternoon:
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- Wichita State at South Florida: 2:00 PM ET on ESPNU.
- North Texas at Tulane: 5:00 PM ET on ESPN2.
- UTSA at Memphis: 6:00 PM ET on ESPNU.
- Washington State at San Francisco: 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+.
Honestly, the UTSA/Memphis game is a sneaky good pick for entertainment. Memphis plays at such a fast pace that things can get chaotic—in a good way—really quickly.
Why Women’s College Basketball is Stealing the Show
If you haven't been keeping up with the women's game this year, you're missing out on the best storylines in sports. Today’s schedule is actually more loaded than the men’s. We have multiple ranked-versus-ranked matchups that will 100% impact the seeding for the tournament in a couple of months.
The headliner? #8 LSU vs. #11 Oklahoma at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN2. This is a massive test for both programs. LSU brings that championship pedigree, but Oklahoma’s offense has been lights-out recently. It's basically a must-watch if you care about the national title conversation.
But wait, there’s more. A lot more.
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Earlier in the day, #15 Maryland travels to the West Coast to face #2 UCLA at 4:00 PM ET on NBC. Seeing a Big Ten/Big East-style matchup on network TV in the middle of the afternoon is a treat. UCLA looks like a juggernaut, but Maryland always finds a way to stay scrappy.
Other Key Women's Games:
- #19 Tennessee at #20 Alabama: 2:00 PM ET (SEC Network). A classic SEC rivalry with huge implications for the conference standings.
- #14 Michigan State at #13 Iowa: 8:00 PM ET (BTN). Iowa City is always rocking, and these two teams are neck-and-neck in the Big Ten.
- Texas A&M at #4 Texas: 4:00 PM ET (SEC Network). The rivalry is back and it’s as intense as ever.
- #2 South Carolina at Coppin State: Noon ET (ESPN+). The Gamecocks are trying to stay perfect, and while this looks like a mismatch, seeing Dawn Staley's squad in person is always an event.
More Than Just Hoops: Hockey and Others
It’s not just about the hardwood. For the puck-heads out there, college hockey has some Sunday action too. New Hampshire is taking on Northeastern at 4:00 PM ET. This is a classic Hockey East battle. If you’ve never watched a game at Matthews Arena, the atmosphere is legendary.
Over in the ACC, Duke is hosting Georgia Tech in women's basketball at 6:00 PM, but the Blue Devils have a full "composite" day of sports going on. They’ve got fencing and wrestling matches happening earlier in the morning if you’re into the Olympic sports side of things.
How to Watch Everything Without Losing Your Mind
Navigating the TV channels for any college games on today can feel like a part-time job. Between ESPN, the conference networks (SECN, ACCN, BTN), and the streaming-only games on ESPN+ or B1G+, you basically need a spreadsheet.
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Most of the major matchups are on the "linear" channels—the ones you find on your cable box or YouTube TV. But a huge chunk of the mid-major games and the Olympic sports are tucked away on ESPN+. If you're a die-hard fan of a specific school, you probably already have those apps downloaded, but for the casual viewer, sticking to ESPN2 and the SEC Network will give you the best "bang for your buck" today.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're ready to dive in, don't just flip channels aimlessly. Here is how to maximize your Sunday sports viewing:
- Check the local listings: Times are always subject to change, especially with TV windows. Triple-check your on-screen guide around 1:00 PM.
- Prioritize the 3:00 PM Window: Between LSU/Oklahoma and the SEC matchups, this is the peak of the day’s action.
- Monitor the Bubble: Keep an eye on teams like Memphis or Maryland. A win today for those types of programs is the difference between a "comfortable" February and a "nervous" March.
- Download the Apps: If you want to follow the smaller schools, make sure your ESPN+ and Big Ten+ logins are active before tip-off so you don't miss the first quarter.
The season is moving fast. We’re officially past the halfway point, and every single possession starts to feel a little heavier from here on out. Enjoy the games.