Sunday afternoons in January are usually for the NFL playoffs. I get it. The Texans and Patriots are duking it out right now, and the Rams-Bears game is looming. But honestly, if you aren't keeping an eye on the hardwood today, you're missing some of the most chaotic mid-season basketball we've seen in years. Whether you're looking for a specific tip-off time or just want to know what time are the college basketball games today, the schedule is surprisingly deep for a Sunday.
The big one—the game everyone in the Big 12 is talking about—doesn't even start until the sun goes down in most of the country.
The Prime Time Heavyweights: Arizona State at Houston
If you only watch one game today, make it the nightcap. Arizona State takes on No. 7 Houston at 6:30 PM ET. You can find this one on ESPN.
Houston is, well, Houston. They play defense like they’re trying to take your lunch money and then apologize by winning by 20. But Arizona State has been scrappy. Playing at the Fertitta Center is basically a nightmare for any visiting team, yet this is the kind of game that defines the "new" Big 12. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s probably going to be a low-scoring slugfest, but it’s the highest-ranked men's matchup on the board for January 18.
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Other Men's Games to Watch Right Now
A lot of the early action is already underway or wrapping up, but the American Athletic Conference (AAC) has a solid grip on the late afternoon.
- North Texas at Tulane tips off at 5:00 PM ET on ESPN2. This is a classic "clash of styles" game. North Texas wants to grind the game to a halt, while Tulane usually prefers a bit more pace.
- UTSA at Memphis follows shortly after at 6:00 PM ET on ESPNU. Memphis is always a rollercoaster, and Penny Hardaway’s squad needs every win they can get to stay in the conversation.
- Washington State at San Francisco starts at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. This is a sneaky good West Coast matchup. San Francisco’s War Memorial Gym is one of those historic, cramped venues where weird things happen to power conference teams.
The Women’s Schedule is Actually the Star Today
I’m being totally serious—the women’s slate today is objectively better than the men’s. We have Top 25 matchups all over the place. If you're wondering what time are the college basketball games today for the women's side, you've got a lot of channel flipping to do.
Right now, or very soon, we have No. 15 Maryland at No. 2 UCLA starting at 4:00 PM ET on NBC. This is a massive Big Ten showdown (yeah, still feels weird saying UCLA is in the Big Ten, right?). UCLA is sitting at 16-1 and looks like a legitimate title contender. Maryland is coming in with a 17-2 record and a chip on their shoulder.
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At that same 4:00 PM ET slot, you have Texas A&M at No. 4 Texas on the SEC Network. The Lone Star rivalry is alive and well in the SEC.
Late Afternoon/Evening Women's Highlights
- No. 6 Kentucky at Mississippi State: 3:00 PM ET (SECN+). Kentucky has been a juggernaut this year.
- Georgia Tech at No. 24 Duke: 6:00 PM ET (ACC Network).
- Minnesota at Washington: 6:00 PM ET (BTN).
- No. 14 Michigan State at No. 13 Iowa: 8:00 PM ET (BTN). This is the "stay up late" game. Iowa City is still one of the toughest places to play in the country, even in the post-Caitlin Clark era.
Where to Find the Scores
Everything moves fast. If you’re like me, you’ve got three tabs open and a TV going. Most of the mid-major action today, like Tulsa at UAB or Milwaukee at Purdue Fort Wayne, is tucked away on ESPN+.
It’s easy to overlook these games, but the Horizon League and the AAC are where the betting value usually hides. For instance, Milwaukee already beat Fort Wayne by 22 earlier this season, but they’ve been on a skid lately. Watching those smaller conference games is how you actually learn who the "bracket busters" will be in March.
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Summary of Key Tip Times (All Eastern)
Basically, the schedule is back-loaded today.
- 5:00 PM: North Texas vs. Tulane (ESPN2) - Men's
- 6:00 PM: UTSA vs. Memphis (ESPNU) - Men's
- 6:30 PM: Arizona State vs. No. 7 Houston (ESPN) - Men's
- 7:00 PM: Washington State vs. San Francisco (ESPN+) - Men's
- 8:00 PM: Michigan State vs. Iowa (BTN) - Women's
Actionable Advice for Fans
If you’re trying to plan your evening, prioritize the Arizona State/Houston game for the atmosphere and the Maryland/UCLA game for the pure talent on the floor.
Check your local listings for "blackout" restrictions, especially on regional networks like Big Ten Network or ACC Network. Most fans forget that if a game is on a primary channel like NBC or ESPN, you can usually stream it via the network's app if you have a cable login. If you're a cord-cutter, YouTube TV or Fubo are basically requirements this time of year.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for Houston before the 6:30 PM tip. In a game that's expected to be as physical as this one, even a minor ankle sprain to a key guard can change the entire spread.
Next Steps:
- Pull up the ESPN app or your TV guide now to set reminders for the 6:30 PM ET Arizona State vs. Houston game.
- If you're watching the NFL playoffs, keep a second screen ready for the UCLA/Maryland women's game on NBC at 4:00 PM ET.
- Check the live NET rankings tomorrow morning to see how today's results shifted the tournament bubble.