You’ve got the wings ordered, the lucky jersey is out of the dryer, and now you’re staring at the remote wondering exactly what time does the ncaa game start today so you don't miss the tip-off. Honestly, Saturday in mid-January is basically the "Wild West" of college sports. It isn't just one game; it’s a relentless tidal wave of hoops.
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a massive slate for NCAA Division I basketball. Whether you're hunting for the Top 25 heavyweights or checking in on your alma mater’s mid-major scrap, the timing is everything.
If you're looking for football, I'll save you some time: there are no college football games today. The Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes are currently prepping for the National Championship game this coming Monday. Today is strictly a basketball holiday.
Morning Tip-Offs and Early Birds
The action starts early. Like, "cereal for breakfast while watching the ACC" early. Most of the first wave of games hit the hardwood right at 12:00 p.m. ET.
If you're a UConn fan, you’re likely already locked in or checking the score. The Huskies are taking on Georgetown at high noon on FOX. Around that same time, Notre Dame is battling Virginia Tech on the ACC Network.
- UConn at Georgetown: 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Kentucky at Tennessee: 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Virginia at SMU: 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Minnesota at Illinois: 12:00 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
It's a lot. You’ve basically got a four-screen situation if you want to keep up with the Big East, SEC, and ACC all at once. Kentucky and Tennessee is usually a bloodbath, and with both teams jockeying for tournament seeding this early, that noon start feels a lot more intense than a standard January game.
The Afternoon Chaos
Once the clock hits 2:00 p.m. ET, the schedule gets even more crowded. This is when the Big 12 starts to flex. Iowa State is at Cincinnati at 2:00 p.m. on NBC/Peacock. If you haven't kept up with the Bearcats lately, they’ve turned their home court into a bit of a fortress.
Syracuse and Boston College also tip at 2:00 p.m. on the ACC Network. By 4:00 p.m. ET, we start seeing some of the West Coast influence. Arizona is traveling to UCF, and North Carolina is out at Cal. It’s weird seeing UNC play a "conference" game in California at 4:00 p.m., but that’s the world we live in now.
Major 4:00 PM Matchups
Nebraska at Northwestern is a sneaky good game at 4:00 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. Nebraska has been surprisingly tough this year. If you’re looking for a blowout, Michigan at Oregon (also 4:00 p.m. on Fox) might be the one to watch, though the Ducks usually play the Wolverines tough at Matthew Knight Arena.
What Time Does the NCAA Game Start Today for the Top 10?
If you are only here for the elite matchups, the evening window is where the real drama lives.
Purdue vs. USC is a massive one. That starts at 6:00 p.m. ET. Seeing the Boilermakers travel to Los Angeles is still a bit of a trip for traditionalists, but it's a huge test for Purdue's backcourt against USC's speed.
✨ Don't miss: Cincinnati vs Nebraska CFB: Why This Matchup Still Matters
At the same time, Duke is playing Stanford (6:00 p.m. on the ACC Network). Stanford has been a tough out at home, and Duke is... well, Duke. They’re always a target.
The Late Night "After Dark" Slate
For the night owls, the WCC and Mountain West take over.
- St. John's at Villanova: 8:00 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- BYU at Texas Tech: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- New Mexico at San Diego State: 8:00 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
- Gonzaga at Seattle: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Gonzaga finishing the night at 10:00 p.m. ET is a classic "Pac-12 After Dark" vibe even if the conferences have all shifted around. It's the perfect way to wind down—or ramp up if you’ve got a parlay riding on the Zags.
Don't Forget the Women’s Slate
The r/NCAAW crowd knows that some of the best basketball today isn't on the men's side. Texas Tech Lady Raiders are hosting Kansas State, and that game is a slugfest.
- Utah at Houston: 2:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Baylor at BYU: 4:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Arizona at TCU: 5:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
TCU has been a dark horse this season, and that 5:00 p.m. game against Arizona is going to be a barometer for the Big 12 standings.
Final Viewing Tips
Basically, if you’re asking what time does the ncaa game start today, the answer is "every hour on the hour" until midnight.
Check your streaming logins now. Most of these mid-afternoon games are buried on ESPN+ or Peacock, and there’s nothing worse than missing the first ten minutes of a game because you’re resetting your password.
If you're tracking the National Championship in football, remember that it's a Monday night affair. Today is for the hardwood. Set your DVR for that BYU/Texas Tech game at 8:00 p.m.—the atmosphere in Lubbock is going to be electric.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Sync your calendar: If you follow a specific team, use the Google Calendar "Add Sports" feature so you don't have to keep searching for tip times.
- Check Local Listings: Some games, like Georgia Tech at NC State (12:00 p.m.), are on The CW, which can vary wildly depending on your cable provider or antenna setup.
- Monitor Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the late-afternoon updates for Purdue and Duke, as several key players are listed as "game-time decisions" for tonight’s coastal trips.