Honestly, if you aren't watching women's college hoops right now, you're just missing out on the best theater in sports. The energy is electric. This week’s TV schedule women's NCAA basketball is absolutely packed, and with the way the rankings are shifting after every single upset, you can't really afford to look away.
January is when things get real. Conference play isn't just a warm-up anymore; it’s a total dogfight for seeding. Whether you’re a die-hard UConn fan or you're riding the wave of a rising mid-major, finding where and when to watch can feel like a part-time job. Between the big networks like ABC and FOX and the endless list of streaming-only games on ESPN+ or Peacock, the grid is everywhere.
The Big Matchups: Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sundays are basically national holidays for college basketball fans. This coming Sunday, January 18, is no different. You've got some heavy hitters clashing on national television, and if you're trying to plan your day around the couch, here is the breakdown of the games that actually matter.
- Maryland at No. 3 UCLA: This one is huge. Catch it on NBC at 1:00 PM ET. UCLA has been a juggernaut, but Maryland always plays with a chip on their shoulder.
- No. 6 LSU at No. 13 Oklahoma: Kim Mulkey takes her squad into Norman for a high-noon (well, 3:00 PM ET) showdown on ESPN2. Expect plenty of noise and probably some technical fouls.
- No. 9 Louisville at NC State: A classic ACC battle on ESPN2 at 10:00 AM ET. Louisville is coming off a massive ten-game win streak, and NC State is looking to prove they belong back in the top ten.
- UNC at Florida State: If you're looking for something on broadcast TV, this hits the CW at 11:00 AM ET.
Where to Find Your Team
It's kinda wild how many different channels you need these days. Gone are the days when everything was just on one of the ESPNs. Now, if you want the full experience, you’ve basically got to have a spreadsheet.
The SEC Network Grind
If you follow the SEC, your life revolves around the SEC Network and SECN+. On Sunday, Jan 18, you’ve got No. 20 Tennessee taking on No. 21 Alabama at 2:00 PM ET. That’s a massive game for the middle of the conference standings. Later that day, Texas A&M travels to No. 4 Texas at 4:00 PM ET, also on the SEC Network. Texas has been looking like a legitimate Final Four contender, and their move to the SEC has made every Sunday a must-watch event.
The Big Ten and Big East Shuffle
The Big Ten is leaning heavily into FOX and Peacock this year. In fact, Michigan travels to No. 5 Vanderbilt on Monday, Jan 19, at 2:30 PM ET, and that’s going to be on FOX.
For the Big East fans, the world revolves around UConn. The Huskies are currently the No. 1 team in the country and they aren't slowing down. They have a massive game against Notre Dame on Monday, Jan 19, at 5:00 PM ET on FOX. It’s the kind of rivalry that reminds you why this sport is growing so fast.
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Streaming vs. Cable: A Survival Guide
Let’s be real: you probably need ESPN+. It’s the catch-all. On any given Thursday or Saturday, there are dozens of games hidden there that involve Top 25 teams. For example, No. 2 South Carolina is playing Coppin State this Sunday at 12:00 PM ET, and it’s an ESPN+ exclusive. If you only have cable, you miss out on the defending champs or the top-ranked teams playing their non-conference or mid-week games.
Peacock is another one. They’ve locked down a lot of the Big Ten and Big East rights. If you want to see No. 25 Illinois take on No. 8 Michigan, you’re often looking at a Peacock login. It’s annoying, sure, but the production quality has actually been pretty solid lately.
Why This Week Matters for the Rankings
We’re seeing some crazy parity this year. No. 1 UConn is dominant, but behind them, it’s a total toss-up. South Carolina (No. 2) just edged out Texas (No. 4) in a 68-65 thriller recently, proving that the gap between the elite teams is razor-thin.
When you look at the TV schedule women's NCAA basketball for the rest of January, you'll see a lot of "trap games." These are the mid-week conference games on ACCNX or B1G+ where a top-10 team goes on the road to a hostile environment and suddenly finds themselves down by 10 in the fourth quarter.
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- Watch the ACC: Teams like Syracuse and Louisville are playing high-scoring, chaotic ball. Syracuse recently won a triple-overtime thriller against Cal—those are the games you find if you're willing to dig into the secondary channels.
- The Big 12 Race: Iowa State and Kansas are currently fighting for oxygen in a very crowded room. Keep an eye on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ broadcasts for those gritty matchups.
Actionable Tips for Fans
If you want to stay on top of the schedule without losing your mind, here is how you should handle the rest of the season.
- Download the Apps: Get the ESPN app and the FOX Sports app. Set alerts for your favorite teams. It sounds basic, but it’s the only way to catch those random 6:30 PM tip-offs on a Tuesday.
- Check Local Listings for the CW: People forget the CW carries high-level ACC games now. Don't skip it just because you think it's for teen dramas.
- Invest in a Multi-Stream Setup: If you’ve got a tablet and a TV, use them. Sunday afternoons usually have 4-5 ranked teams playing at the same time.
- Watch the "Bubble" Teams: Pay attention to games on FS1 and ESPNU. These usually feature teams like Baylor, Ole Miss, or Tennessee—teams that are fighting for their lives to stay in the tournament conversation.
The road to the Final Four in March starts with these cold January games. Grab your remote, keep the schedule handy, and enjoy the ride.
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Next Step: Check your local listings for NBC this Sunday at 1:00 PM ET to see if the Maryland vs. UCLA game is available in your market, or log into the Peacock app to see the full slate of Big Ten conference games scheduled for the upcoming week.