Look, we've all been there. You sit down, wings are ready, the couch is calling your name, and then you spend twenty minutes scrolling through a cluttered cable guide or five different streaming apps just to find the tip-off time. It's annoying.
Today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and the sports calendar is actually pretty stacked for a random weekday in January. We’ve got a massive slate of Top 25 college hoops, the NBA’s new broadcast partnerships in full swing, and some late-night NHL action that’ll probably keep you up past your bedtime.
If you're asking what channel are the games on today, I’ve got the breakdown for you right here. No fluff, just the times and the networks so you can get back to the game.
The Big One: #3 Iowa State at #22 Kansas
This is the headliner. If you only watch one game tonight, make it this Big 12 showdown. Phog Allen Fieldhouse is going to be rocking.
The Channel: ESPN
Tip-off: 9:00 p.m. ET
Kansas is leaning heavily on Darryn Peterson right now, and watching him navigate that Iowa State "No-Middle" defense is basically a masterclass in high-level basketball. Iowa State is sitting at #3 for a reason; they turn people over like it’s their job.
👉 See also: Why the 2025 NFL Draft Class is a Total Headache for Scouts
Other College Basketball Heavy Hitters
The Big Ten and SEC are also busy tonight. A few standouts:
- Wisconsin at Minnesota: 7:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network (BTN). A classic border battle.
- Texas A&M at Tennessee: 7:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network. Rick Barnes vs. Buzz Williams is always a chess match.
- Villanova at Providence: 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The Friars at home are a different beast.
- Florida at Oklahoma: 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
- Maryland at USC: 10:30 p.m. ET on FS1. For the late-night crowd.
Honestly, the streaming situation is getting a bit crowded. You’ll notice Peacock has a huge chunk of games tonight, including Marquette vs. St. John’s (6:30 p.m.) and Indiana at Michigan State (8:00 p.m.). If you don't have a login, you’re gonna miss some of the best Big East and Big Ten action.
NBA on NBC: The Return of a Legend
Remember that old "Roundball Rock" theme song? Well, it's back in a big way. One of the biggest shifts in the 2025-26 season has been the NBA returning to NBC and Peacock.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
Channel: NBC / Peacock
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
This is the Wemby vs. Chet rivalry we were promised. OKC has already taken three from the Spurs this season, but Victor Wembanyama is coming off a 29-point performance against the Wolves. On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level, averaging nearly 32 points.
✨ Don't miss: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
If you're out West, the late game is Portland at Golden State at 11:00 p.m. ET, also on NBC and Peacock.
For the regional fans:
- Atlanta Hawks at LA Lakers: 10:30 p.m. ET on FDSSE and SportsNet LA. Yes, Luka Doncic is now a Laker (still feels weird to say, right?), and he's putting up 33 a night.
- Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat: 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
NHL Tuesday Night Doubleheader
TNT is handling the puck drops tonight. We've got two solid matchups that cover both coasts.
- Detroit Red Wings at Boston Bruins: 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
- Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks: 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT / truTV / Max.
The Stars are currently 2nd in the Central and Miro Heiskanen has been a monster lately. They’ve historically dominated the Ducks, winning 12 of their last 16 meetings. If you’re a betting person, the trends definitely favor Dallas here, especially with the way Jason Robertson has been finding the back of the net.
What About the Other Stuff?
If you're looking for something outside the "Big Three" sports, there are a few niche gems today:
🔗 Read more: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
- Golf: The TGL (Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's tech-infused league) features Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
- Tennis: The Adelaide International and Auckland ATP rounds are rolling on the Tennis Channel starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.
- International Hockey: The IIHF World Junior Girls Championship has the U.S. vs. Finland at 12:30 p.m. ET on NHL Network.
Where to Stream if You’ve Ditched Cable
The "what channel" question is getting harder because the answer is often "an app."
For today’s games, Fubo is still the most comprehensive for regional sports networks (like FDSN or SportsNet LA). Peacock is mandatory for the Big Ten and the NBC NBA games. Max is actually a great sneaky option for the NHL games because they simulcast the TNT feed.
Don't forget that blackouts still exist. If you're trying to watch the Lakers in LA or the Bucks in Milwaukee, you’ll likely need your local regional sports channel rather than a national feed.
Actionable Next Steps
Check your subscriptions now. If you’re planning on watching that Indiana/Michigan State game or the Spurs/Thunder matchup, make sure your Peacock login actually works before 8:00 p.m.
If you're a college hoops junkie, download the ESPN app and link your provider; with games split across ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, it's way easier to just "cast" from the app than to hunt through a channel guide.
Lastly, if you're watching the Dallas/Anaheim game late tonight, keep an eye on the truTV feed if you want a slightly different broadcast style—they've been experimenting with more "stat-heavy" presentations that are actually pretty cool.
Everything is set for a great night of sports. Just make sure the remote has fresh batteries.