Friday nights in January are a strange, beautiful beast in the world of collegiate athletics. While the football pads have mostly been hung up for the year, the indoor season is absolutely humming. If you're scanning your remote wondering what college games are on tonight on tv, you’ve basically hit the jackpot of variety.
It’s not just about hoops. Tonight is a massive showcase for "Friday Night Heights"—the high-octane world of NCAA gymnastics—alongside a heavy-hitting slate of Big East and MAC basketball, and some premier ice hockey.
Let's cut through the noise. Here is exactly what is hitting your screen tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Big-Time Basketball: Conference Clashes
The hardwood is dominated tonight by mid-major battles and a few high-stakes Big East matchups. Honestly, the game of the night might be a toss-up between a tactical battle in the Midwest and a desperate scrap in the Big East.
Big East Stakes
Creighton at Providence kicks off the evening at 6:30 PM ET. You can find this one on FS1. These are two programs that usually expect to be at the top of the conference, but right now, they're both clawing for momentum. Providence is sitting at 8-9, and if they want any hope of a postseason run, they have to defend home court tonight. Creighton isn't much more comfortable at 11-7. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring affair; both of these teams love to run and neither has shown a particularly lockdown defense lately.
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Later on, Marquette visits DePaul at 8:30 PM ET on FS1. Marquette has been struggling on the road, dropping five straight away from home. DePaul, meanwhile, has been surprisingly solid this year at 10-7. If you like seeing if a legacy program can snap a cold streak against a gritty underdog, this is your game.
MACtion and Atlantic 10
If you're into the grind-it-out style of the Mid-American Conference, Toledo at Kent State is a must-watch at 6:30 PM ET on CBSSN. Kent State is 13-4 and looks like a real threat to Miami (OH) for the conference crown. Toledo (10-7) is always dangerous, but Kent State’s home-court advantage is notoriously tough.
Over in the Atlantic 10, Loyola (IL) faces Dayton at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN2. This one might get ugly. Dayton is rolling with a four-game win streak and a 13-4 record, while Loyola has had a season to forget, sitting on just five wins.
Friday Night Heights: The SEC Gymnastics Takeover
If you haven't watched college gymnastics lately, you’re missing some of the most electric atmospheres in sports. Tonight is a showcase of three of the best programs in the country.
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- Alabama at Florida: This starts at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2. It’s a top-five clash. Florida is coming off a dominant quad-meet win, and Alabama is ranked #4 in the nation. The O'Connell Center will be loud.
- LSU at Georgia: Also at 7:00 PM ET, but over on SEC Network. LSU is the defending national champ and they bring a level of star power (and social media following) that most teams can't touch.
- Oklahoma at Missouri: Starting at 8:45 PM ET on SEC Network. Oklahoma is the gold standard of the sport, and seeing how Missouri handles the pressure of the Sooners' precision is always fascinating.
Cold Steel: NCAA Hockey and More
For the puck-heads, the Big Ten and NCHC have some heavy lifting to do tonight.
Michigan State at Wisconsin is the marquee hockey game, airing at 9:00 PM ET on the Big Ten Network. It's a classic rivalry in a conference that is currently the deepest in the country. If you're looking for other hockey options, the NCHC streaming services have Denver at North Dakota at 5:07 PM ET—two absolute blue-bloods of the ice.
On the West Coast, Colorado State travels to Boise State for a late-night basketball tip at 10:30 PM ET on FS1. It’s the perfect "one more game before bed" choice for anyone east of the Mississippi.
How to Watch and What to Prioritize
Basically, you’ve got three tiers of viewing tonight. If you want high-stakes drama, go with Creighton/Providence. If you want elite athleticism and a "big event" feel, flip to Alabama/Florida gymnastics. If you're a purist who wants to see some of the best skaters in the world, Michigan State/Wisconsin is your home.
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Most of these games are available through standard cable packages on FS1, ESPN2, and SEC Network. If you've cut the cord, services like Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV are going to be your best friends. Just make sure you check your regional sports network (like NESN Plus for the Northeastern/Campbell game) because blackouts are still a thing in 2026.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for that Creighton game; a late scratch could completely change the betting line and the flow of the game. Otherwise, settle in. It’s a busy night.
To make the most of your viewing tonight, sync your DVR for the gymnastics meets while watching the Big East basketball live. Gymnastics is incredible for replay because you can skip the warm-up transitions and catch every 10.0-worthy routine in half the time. If you're tracking standings, the Kent State/Toledo game has the most immediate impact on conference tournament seeding, so don't sleep on the MAC tonight.