It's one of those Thursdays where you basically have to choose between sleep and potentially missing the best mid-major upset of the year. Honestly, the slate for ncaa televised games today is kind of ridiculous for a random weekday in mid-January. We aren't just talking about filler games; we have a top-five women's showdown and some serious West Coast after-dark chaos brewing.
If you're looking for the big stuff, the women's game between No. 4 Texas and No. 2 South Carolina is the clear headliner, though technically, it looks like some listings have it shifting around—double-check that ESPN2 dial. But for the men's side, it’s all about the late-night vibes on the Palouse.
The Big West Coast Showdown: Gonzaga at Washington State
Most people think Gonzaga is just going to steamroll everyone in their path like they usually do. But heading into Pullman is never easy. This game is airing on CBSSN at 10 p.m. ET, and it’s the definition of "stay up late or regret it."
Washington State has this weird way of playing up to their competition at home. It's loud, it's cold, and the Cougars have nothing to lose. Gonzaga, currently sitting at No. 9 in the AP Poll, needs to keep winning to maintain that top-ten status. Keep an eye on the guard play here; if the Zags can't control the perimeter, things get dicey.
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SEC and Big Ten Fireworks: NCAA Televised Games Today
The schedule is pretty packed across the major networks. You’ve got a mix of Peacock exclusives and classic cable matchups.
- Nebraska at Michigan State (Men's): This is a classic Big Ten physical battle. It's airing on BTN at 7 p.m. ET. Michigan State is trying to prove they belong in the top tier of the conference, while Nebraska is looking to play spoiler.
- Vanderbilt at Mississippi State (Women's): No. 5 Vanderbilt is heading into Starkville. SEC road games are a nightmare, and this one starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
- Wichita State at FAU: If you like mid-major hoops with high energy, tune into ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET. FAU has become a darling of the basketball world lately, and the Shockers are always gritty.
It’s worth noting that the streaming landscape is getting crowded. Illinois at Michigan (Women's) is tucked away on Peacock at 7 p.m. ET. If you don't have the login, you're basically out of luck for that ranked matchup. It's sort of annoying for fans, but that's where the sports world is heading.
Small Schools, Big TV Time
One of the coolest things about the schedule today is seeing Lindenwood play on a national stage. They are heading to SE Missouri for an 8 p.m. CT tip-off on ESPNU. This is actually Lindenwood’s first-ever nationally televised game in their Division I era. That's a huge deal for a program trying to build a name for itself.
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Then you have the Horizon League stuff. Oakland at Milwaukee is on ESPNU at 8 p.m. ET. These games usually end up being one-possession thrillers that nobody talks about until they see the highlights on social media the next morning.
Finding the Right Channel
Navigating the ncaa televised games today requires a bit of a roadmap because of the sheer variety of broadcasters.
The Cable Staples
ESPN2 and ESPNU are doing the heavy lifting for the mid-major and AAC games. If you have a standard sports package, you're mostly set for the Wichita State and FAU game or the Oakland vs. Milwaukee tilt.
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The Boutique Networks
CBSSN is where you'll find the Gonzaga game and New Mexico State at Liberty (7 p.m. ET). A lot of people forget they have this channel until a big game like this pops up. SEC Network is handling the Vanderbilt game, and the Big Ten Network has the Nebraska/Michigan State clash.
The Streaming Shift
Peacock is the wild card. With Maryland at Southern Cal (Women's) and Illinois at Michigan (Women's) both on the platform, you’re basically forced to subscribe if you want to follow the Big Ten race closely.
Why the Ratings Matter Right Now
We are in that "sweet spot" of the season. Teams have finished their cupcake non-conference schedules and are deep into the grind of league play. A loss today for a team like Gonzaga or South Carolina isn't just a mark on the record; it affects seeding for March.
Experts like Greg Peterson have been looking at the betting lines for some of these games, and the "Over" on games like Robert Morris vs. IU Indy (6:30 p.m. ET) is catching some eyes. IU Indy plays at a crazy fast tempo, which makes for great TV even if they aren't a top-ranked team.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Synch your apps: If you’re watching games on Peacock or ACCNX, log in now. There’s nothing worse than missing the first five minutes because of a password reset.
- Set the DVR for the West Coast: If 10 p.m. ET is too late for the Gonzaga game, record it. The atmosphere in Pullman is usually worth a watch the next morning.
- Watch the injury reports: Before the Nebraska vs. Michigan State game, check the latest status on the Spartans' backcourt. Big Ten games are won and lost on depth this time of year.
- Check the local listings: Sometimes games on SECN+ or ACCNX get picked up by local affiliates depending on where you live.
The bottom line is that today's schedule is deep. Whether you want high-stakes SEC women's basketball or a late-night West Coast brawl, the television schedule has it covered. Just make sure your remote has fresh batteries.