Today is one of those Saturdays where you basically need three screens, a stable internet connection, and a very understanding family. If you're looking for the time of NCAA basketball games today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you’ve probably realized the schedule is a total jigsaw puzzle. We have top-ranked teams flying across the country for conference games that feel more like March than mid-January.
The slate is heavy. Honestly, it's overwhelming. From the Big Ten's new West Coast presence to the SEC heavyweights clashing in Knoxville, the clock is your biggest enemy today.
The Early Window: Coffee and Conference Rivalries
Most of the action kicks off right at noon ET. If you're on the East Coast, that's your cue to find the remote. One of the biggest storylines this morning is No. 3 UConn heading into D.C. to face Georgetown. That one tips at 12:00 PM ET on FOX. Even though the Hoyas are rebuilding, Ed Cooley vs. Dan Hurley always brings some sort of sideline fireworks.
At the exact same time, we have a massive SEC clash. Kentucky is at No. 24 Tennessee. This is a 12:00 PM ET start on ESPN. Rick Barnes has the Vols playing some of the nastiest defense in the country right now, and Kentucky's young guards are going to have to grow up fast in that Thompson-Boling Arena environment.
Here’s a quick look at the other noon ET tip-offs:
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- Notre Dame at Virginia Tech (ACN)
- Georgia Tech at NC State (The CW)
- Minnesota at Illinois (BTN)
- Virginia at SMU (ESPN2)
- Butler at Seton Hall (TNT/truTV)
Mid-Afternoon: The Big Ten and Big 12 Take Over
Once you hit 2:00 PM ET, the pace doesn't slow down. This is where the time of NCAA basketball games today gets tricky because some of the best matchups are tucked away on streaming platforms. For instance, No. 2 Iowa State is visiting Cincinnati at 2:00 PM ET, but you’ll need Peacock to catch it. Cincinnati’s "Bearcat Lair" is a tough place to play, and the Cyclones are trying to prove they belong in the top two.
Over on FOX at 2:00 PM ET, Iowa takes on Indiana at Assembly Hall. This is a huge "get right" game for the Hoosiers. Mike Woodson’s seat is always a topic of conversation, and losing at home to the Hawkeyes isn't an option if they want to stay in the tournament hunt.
If you’re looking for some Mountain West flavor or high-tempo mid-major ball, Utah State is at Grand Canyon at 2:30 PM ET on FS1. Grand Canyon has one of the best home-court advantages in the country—that student section is legitimately terrifying for opposing players.
4:00 PM ET: The Heavy Hitters
By 4:00 PM ET, the "main events" start rolling in. No. 1 Arizona travels to UCF (ESPN). Seeing the Wildcats in Orlando feels weird, but that’s the new Big 12 reality. Meanwhile, No. 4 Michigan is out in Eugene taking on Oregon. That’s a 4:00 PM ET tip on NBC.
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Evening Slate: The Battle for the Bluebloods
If you survived the afternoon, the evening offers some of the most aesthetic matchups of the season. At 6:00 PM ET, we get No. 5 Purdue at USC on Peacock. Watching Purdue's size go up against the athleticism of the Trojans in L.A. is going to be a fascinating contrast in styles.
Texas and Texas A&M also renew their rivalry at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN. This isn't just a game; it's a recruiting war. The Longhorns are favored by about 4.5 points, but in this series, the spread usually goes out the window by the first media timeout.
The Late-Night Capper
For the night owls, the time of NCAA basketball games today stretches well into the late hours:
- BYU at Texas Tech: 8:00 PM ET (ESPN). Lubbock at night is where top-10 dreams go to die.
- St. John's at Villanova: 8:00 PM ET (Peacock). A classic Big East brawl at the Wells Fargo Center.
- Kansas State at Oklahoma State: 10:00 PM ET (CBSSN).
- No. 9 Gonzaga vs. Seattle: 10:00 PM ET (ESPN+). This one is being played at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, so expect a pro-Gonzaga crowd but a very motivated Redhawks squad.
Don't Forget the Women's Top 25
The women's schedule is equally loaded today, and honestly, the matchups might be even better. No. 12 Maryland is at No. 3 UCLA at 1:00 PM ET on NBC. This is a potential Final Four preview. Both teams play an incredibly fast, transition-heavy game.
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Later in the day, No. 15 Michigan State visits No. 11 Iowa at 5:00 PM ET. The post-Caitlin Clark era in Iowa City has been surprisingly competitive, and Carver-Hawkeye Arena remains one of the toughest tickets in sports.
How to Handle the Viewing Schedule
Tracking the time of NCAA basketball games today is only half the battle; knowing where to watch is the rest.
- Check your logins early. Between Peacock, ESPN+, and the various conference networks (ACCN, BTN, SECN), you're going to be jumping between apps. Don't wait until tip-off to realize you've been logged out.
- Monitor the "Live" scores. On a day like this, upsets happen in the 2:00 PM window that dictate what you should watch at 4:00 PM. If a top-5 team is down 10 at halftime, pivot your attention there.
- Use the "Multiview" features. If you have YouTube TV or similar services, today is the day to use the 4-screen layout.
The most important takeaway for today’s schedule is the diversity of the venues. We have games in tiny campus gyms and massive NBA arenas. Whether it's the 12:00 PM tip in Blacksburg or the 10:00 PM finale in Seattle, the intensity of January basketball is officially here.
Make sure your devices are charged and your snacks are within reach. The next twelve hours are going to be a sprint.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: If you're following a specific team like Purdue or Arizona, set a "15-minute prior" alert on your phone. With these national broadcasts, tip-off is often 5-7 minutes after the listed hour.
- Check local listings: If you're relying on "The CW" for the ACC games (like Georgia Tech at NC State), double-check which local affiliate carries it in your area, as it varies by zip code.
- Prepare for Peacock: Multiple high-profile games (Iowa State/Cincinnati and Purdue/USC) are exclusive to Peacock today. Ensure your subscription is active before the afternoon rush.