Honestly, Mondays in college basketball usually feel like the leftovers of a chaotic weekend. You’ve just spent forty-eight hours watching buzzer-beaters and court storms, and then Monday rolls around with a schedule that looks, well, a little thin on the surface. But if you’re looking for what college basketball games are on today, January 12, 2026, you’re actually hitting a sweet spot for "true" hoop fans.
There’s a weird rhythm to this part of January. We just got the new AP Top 25 poll today, which has Arizona sitting at the top after a perfect 16-0 start, and everyone is already looking ahead to the massive Tuesday night slate where No. 3 UConn visits No. 25 Seton Hall. But before we get there, tonight is dominated by the "Big Monday" energy of the MEAC and SWAC.
If you aren't watching these games, you're missing out on some of the most intense, high-stakes conference play in the country. This isn't just filler content; it's where the path to March begins for the smaller programs.
The MEAC and SWAC Take Center Stage
Tonight is basically the Super Bowl for fans of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. While the blue bloods are resting up, these teams are fighting for early-season positioning that determines who gets to be a Cinderella come March.
One of the biggest storylines tonight is Southern at Bethune-Cookman. Southern actually just pulled off a gritty 77-73 comeback win against the Wildcats earlier this evening (some of these games tip off early, so keep an eye on those live scores). It was Bethune-Cookman’s first home loss of the year, which really shakes up the SWAC standings.
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If you're looking for what's still tipping off or what just wrapped up, here is the breakdown of the major matchups:
- Delaware State at Howard (7:00 PM ET): This is a classic MEAC rivalry. Howard has been a force in this conference lately, and playing at Burr Gymnasium is never easy for visitors.
- Mississippi Valley State at Texas Southern (8:00 PM ET): Texas Southern usually starts slow and gets hot in February, but they need this one to keep pace.
- Jackson State at Alabama A&M (8:00 PM ET): Always a physical, defensive battle.
- Maryland-Eastern Shore at Norfolk State (7:00 PM ET): Norfolk State is consistently one of the best-coached teams in the country under Robert Jones.
Don't Forget the Women’s Games
The women's side of the bracket is actually providing one of the few Power 4 matchups tonight. Over in the SEC, we have Alabama visiting Missouri at 7:00 PM ET.
Missouri is looking for some consistency at Mizzou Arena, while the Crimson Tide is trying to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the SEC. Earlier today, Missouri actually fell to Alabama 74-63 in a game that showed just how tough the Tide's perimeter defense has become this season.
It’s worth noting that tonight is mostly a "bridge" night. Tomorrow, January 13th, is when the ranked teams come back in full force. No. 17 Texas Tech (the women's team) is currently 18-0 and hosts Houston tomorrow. On the men's side, we have a massive Big 12 clash with No. 2 Iowa State heading to Kansas.
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Why Tonight Matters for Your Bracket
You might think watching South Carolina State at Coppin State or Alcorn State at Alabama State doesn't matter for your March Madness bracket. You’d be wrong.
These are the "one-bid leagues." The winner of the SWAC or the MEAC tournament is going to be the No. 15 or No. 16 seed that scares the living daylights out of a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the first round. By watching what college basketball games are on today, you’re getting an early look at the players who will be household names for exactly 48 hours in mid-March.
Take a look at North Carolina Central. They’re playing Morgan State tonight. Central is a team that knows how to win in March. Seeing how they handle a road environment in Baltimore tells you a lot more about their "toughness" than a November blowout against a non-DI school.
Key Matchups at a Glance
For those who just want the quick list of tonight's remaining or notable action, here is the landscape:
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- Navy at American (7:00 PM ET): A nice Patriot League mid-major battle for the DMV locals.
- Grambling at Florida A&M (7:00 PM ET): High-energy SWAC basketball.
- Texas-Rio Grande Valley at Northwestern State (7:30 PM ET): A battle for Southland Conference positioning.
- Incarnate Word at Stephen F. Austin (7:00 PM ET): SFA is always a tough out at home.
Looking Ahead: The Rankings Shift
The AP Poll released today (Jan 12, 2026) has given us some serious talking points for the week. Arizona stayed at No. 1, but Iowa State jumped to No. 2. Michigan moved up to No. 4, and Seton Hall finally cracked the Top 25 at No. 25.
Seton Hall's return to the rankings is a huge deal. They’ve won 10 of their last 11, including some massive Quad 1 wins. They get their big test tomorrow against No. 3 UConn.
Tonight is the calm before that storm. It's a night to appreciate the grind of college basketball. It’s about the 7:00 PM tip-offs in half-empty gyms where every possession still feels like life or death for the kids on the court.
Actionable Insights for Tonight
- Check the Underdogs: In SWAC/MEAC play, home-court advantage is worth more than the standard 3 points. Look for home dogs.
- Watch the Guards: These conferences are guard-heavy. Watch how the ball-handlers handle full-court pressure, which is a staple of these leagues.
- Follow the Live Scores: Since many of these games are on ESPN+ or local networks, keep a tab open for live stats. The lead changes in these games tend to be wild.
To get ready for the rest of the week, you should verify which of these teams are playing "back-to-back" styles or traveling long distances, as the Monday-Thursday turnaround in some of these smaller conferences is brutal on the legs.