If you're waking up in Ann Arbor or tuning in from across the country, your first thought is probably the same as mine: what time do the Michigan Wolverines play today? Honestly, keeping track of every team under the block M can feel like a full-time job, especially in the dead of winter when the schedule is packed with everything from wrestling to water polo.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, isn't a football Saturday, but there is a massive Big Ten showdown happening on the mat and some high-stakes tournament action elsewhere. You aren't going to find the football team out there today—they wrapped up their season back on December 31 in the Citrus Bowl against Texas—and the men's basketball team is catching their breath after a big road win at Oregon yesterday.
Here is the deal for today's Michigan sports schedule.
The Big Matchup: Wrestling Takes Center Stage
The biggest event on the calendar today is the #13 Michigan Wrestling team hosting #11 Illinois. This isn't just a regular dual; it’s the "Wrestle N' Roll" event, and it’s happening at the Crisler Center rather than the smaller Cliff Keen Arena.
What time do the Michigan Wolverines play today for wrestling?
The meet starts at 2:00 PM EST.
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If you aren't heading down to Crisler to see it in person, you can catch the whole thing on the Big Ten Network (BTN). This is a huge opportunity for the Wolverines to climb the rankings against a tough Illini squad. Seeing the mats laid out on the basketball floor at Crisler always adds a different level of energy to the atmosphere.
Sunday Morning and Afternoon Action
While wrestling is the main televised event, several other programs are in the middle of multi-day competitions.
Women's Tennis: Michigan Invitational
The #7 Michigan Women's Tennis team is back at the Varsity Tennis Center today. They’ve been hosting the Michigan Invitational all weekend.
- Time: Matches started early at 10:00 AM EST.
- Watch: Usually, you can find live stream links via the Sidearm Sports platform on the official MGoBlue site, though it’s mostly for the hardcore fans who want to watch specific courts.
Water Polo: Polopalooza in Fresno
The #15 Michigan Water Polo team is out in California for the "Polopalooza" tournament hosted by Fresno State. They have a massive challenge this morning.
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- The Opponent: #4 Hawaii.
- Time: 12:30 PM EST (9:30 AM local Pacific Time).
- Where to Watch: This one is being streamed on Overnght.
Men's Gymnastics: Ohio State Open
Down in Columbus, the men’s gymnastics team is competing in the Ohio State Open.
- Time: 2:00 PM EST.
- The Stakes: It’s an early-season litmus test against the Buckeyes and other regional rivals.
What About Basketball and Hockey?
If you're looking for the high-profile "ball and puck" sports, you'll have to wait a couple of days or look at the scores from last night.
The #1 Michigan Hockey team is coming off a weekend series in Minneapolis against the Gophers. They played last night, Saturday the 17th, and won't be on the ice today. Their next big series is a road trip to Ohio State starting January 30.
On the hardwood, Dusty May's Men’s Basketball squad just finished their West Coast swing with a solid 81-71 win over Oregon yesterday. They are currently flying back to Ann Arbor to prep for a home game against Indiana on Tuesday night.
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The Women’s Basketball team is also in a gap day. They played #25 Illinois on Thursday and don't play again until they host USC next Sunday, January 25.
How to Follow the Wolverines Today
Basically, if you want to watch the Wolverines live on your TV today, the 2:00 PM wrestling match on BTN is your best bet. For everything else, the MGoBlue "Composite Schedule" is the gold standard for live stat updates.
Kinda crazy how many elite athletes are competing at once, right? Whether it's tennis at 10 AM or the gymnastics meet at 2 PM, there's enough Maize and Blue to fill your entire Sunday.
Quick Summary for January 18, 2026:
- Women's Tennis: 10:00 AM (Ann Arbor)
- Water Polo: 12:30 PM (Fresno, CA)
- Wrestling vs. Illinois: 2:00 PM (Crisler Center / Big Ten Network)
- Men's Gymnastics: 2:00 PM (Columbus, OH)
Make sure to double-check your local listings for BTN, as they sometimes shift the wrestling start times by 10-15 minutes if a previous program runs long. Grab some snacks, settle into the couch, and enjoy the Wrestle N' Roll show.
Check the BTN schedule on your cable provider or the Fox Sports app to ensure you have access to the wrestling dual before the 2:00 PM start time. If you’re planning to attend in person at Crisler Center, tickets are usually available at the door for these Sunday meets.