Michigan Basketball: What Channel is the Michigan Basketball Game on Today (Jan 18)

Michigan Basketball: What Channel is the Michigan Basketball Game on Today (Jan 18)

If you woke up today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, wondering what channel is the Michigan basketball game on today, I’ve got some news that might save you a lot of scrolling through your TV guide. Honestly, after that gritty 81-71 win over Oregon yesterday, the Wolverines are taking a breather.

There is no Michigan men's basketball game today.

Dusty May’s squad is currently traveling back from the West Coast trip. They just wrapped up a two-game swing where they handled both Washington and Oregon. It’s a rare Sunday off in the middle of a chaotic Big Ten schedule, especially after playing late-night ball in Seattle earlier this week.

When Do the Wolverines Play Next?

Since you're probably looking to plan your week around the next tip-off, the wait isn't long. Michigan returns to the Crisler Center for a massive matchup against Indiana on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

This isn't just a regular mid-week game; it’s the Martin Luther King Day Celebration game. If you’re looking for the channel for that one, you’ll need to ditch the traditional cable box. That game is slated for Peacock. It starts at 7:00 PM ET.

It's kinda frustrating how many games are moving to streaming lately, but for Michigan fans, Peacock has become a regular stop this season. This will be their fourth or fifth appearance on the platform so far.

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Why Isn't Michigan Playing Today?

The Big Ten schedule is a beast, but even these guys need 48 hours between games when they’re crossing three time zones. Michigan played Oregon in Eugene yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. Getting a team, staff, and equipment from the Pacific Northwest back to Ann Arbor takes a toll.

Instead of a Michigan game today, the Big Ten slate is filled with other matchups you might want to keep an eye on, especially if you’re tracking the conference standings:

  • Penn State vs. Maryland (Noon on Big Ten Network)
  • Arizona State vs. Houston (6:30 PM on ESPN)

Basically, the conference gave Michigan and a few other teams a "travel day" to recover before the Tuesday/Wednesday slate kicks off.

Breaking Down the Michigan Basketball TV Schedule

If you've been trying to keep up with what channel is the Michigan basketball game on today throughout the season, you've probably noticed it feels like a scavenger hunt. The Big Ten's new media deal is spread across so many different networks it’s almost impossible to memorize.

Here is a quick look at where the Wolverines are landing for the rest of January 2026:

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Tuesday, Jan 20 vs. Indiana
This one is exclusively on Peacock. Tip is at 7:00 PM. Expect a loud crowd for the MLK celebration, and honestly, after the way Indiana has been playing lately, Michigan is going to need every bit of that home-court advantage.

Friday, Jan 23 vs. Ohio State
The rivalry heads to Ann Arbor, and for this one, you can go back to basics. It’s on FOX at 8:00 PM. They’re also honoring Trey Burke that night, raising his No. 3 jersey to the rafters. If you’re a Michigan fan, this is the "don't miss" game of the month.

Tuesday, Jan 27 vs. Nebraska
Another mid-week game, another trip to Peacock. 7:00 PM start. It’s "Sneakerhead Night" at Crisler, so the atmosphere should be pretty fun even for a Tuesday.

Friday, Jan 30 at Michigan State
The big one in East Lansing. This will be on FOX at 8:00 PM. There’s nothing like a Friday night rivalry game on national TV.

How to Watch Michigan Basketball Without Cable

Since a huge chunk of the schedule—including the next game against Indiana—is on streaming or specific sports networks, you've got a few options if you’ve cut the cord.

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For the games on Big Ten Network (BTN), FOX, and FS1, most people use services like Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV. They all carry the Big Ten Network, which is where about 30% of Michigan's games end up.

The Peacock games are the real outliers. You can't get those through a cable sub or a live TV streamer; you have to have a standalone Peacock subscription. It's becoming the "Friday Night Football" equivalent for Big Ten hoops.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

Since there’s no game today, here is what you should do to get ready for the Indiana game:

  • Check your Peacock login: Don't wait until 6:55 PM on Tuesday to realize you forgot your password or your subscription lapsed.
  • Watch the Oregon Replay: If you missed yesterday's win, the highlights are already up on the Michigan Athletics YouTube channel. The way the defense looked in the second half was probably their best performance of the year.
  • Update your calendar: Put the Ohio State game (Friday, Jan 23) on your radar now. FOX games usually start right on time, unlike the cable networks that sometimes bleed over from the previous game.

While the answer to what channel is the Michigan basketball game on today is "none," the Wolverines are in a great spot at 16-1. They’ve got a couple of days to rest those legs before trying to keep the momentum going against the Hoosiers.