You’re staring at the clock, the work day is finally winding down, and you’ve got that itch for some high-stakes basketball. Honestly, Thursdays in mid-January are basically built for this.
The air is cold, the NFL is in that weird pre-playoff lull, and the college hoops season is hitting its absolute peak. If you are wondering what time is the college game tonight, the short answer is that the action starts as early as 6:00 PM ET and doesn't let up until the West Coast wraps things up well after midnight.
But let’s be real. You aren’t just looking for "a" game. You’re looking for the heavy hitters. Tonight, January 15, 2026, is a massive night for both the men’s and women’s ranks, featuring top-five showdowns and conference rivalries that usually end in a court storm.
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The Big One: #4 Texas vs. #2 South Carolina
If you only watch one game, make it the women’s matchup in Columbia. This isn't just a regular season game; it's a statement.
Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2.
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Colonial Life Arena is going to be a madhouse. Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks are sitting at #2 in the country, and they’re hosting a Texas Longhorns team that is arguably the most athletic squad in the nation right now. This is the sixth time these two have met in about a year, and every single time, they’ve both been ranked in the Top 5. It’s becoming the best rivalry in the sport, period.
Expect a defensive bloodbath. South Carolina is only giving up about 53 points a game. Texas, led by Madison Booker, plays a brand of physical basketball that tests even the best referees. If you like high-drama, elite-level execution, this is the one you can't miss.
Men’s Hoops: Late Night Vibes and Mid-Major Magic
On the men’s side, things are a bit more spread out across the networks. We don't have a Top-10 clash tonight, but we have some incredible "betting favorites" and bubble teams fighting for their lives.
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- Oakland at Milwaukee (7:00 PM ET, ESPNU): Don't sleep on the Horizon League. These games are usually high-scoring and chaotic.
- Wichita State at Florida Atlantic (9:00 PM ET, ESPN2): Florida Atlantic is still trying to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the AAC. This game is going to be fast. Like, track-meet fast.
- #9 Gonzaga at Washington State (10:00 PM ET, CBSSN): The Zags are heading into Pullman. It’s a classic Northwest rivalry. Washington State fans live for the chance to ruin Gonzaga's season, and being at home at 10:00 PM ET—when the rest of the country is asleep—is exactly when the weird stuff happens.
Where to Watch and Stream
Gone are the days when you just flipped to channel 4. Now, you sort of need a degree in digital media to find everything.
- ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU: These are your main hubs for the Texas/South Carolina game and the AAC matchups.
- CBSSN: You’ll need this for the Gonzaga game and some of the mid-major clashes like Charleston vs. Towson (8:00 PM ET).
- Peacock: If you’re a Big Ten fan, get your login ready. #15 Maryland is taking on USC at 9:00 PM ET on the women's side, and it's a Peacock exclusive.
- ESPN+: This is the catch-all. If you're looking for Idaho vs. Idaho State or UT Arlington vs. Utah Tech, this is where you'll be spending your night.
Why Tonight Actually Matters
Look, we’re just a few days away from the College Football National Championship on Monday, January 19. Indiana and Miami are about to face off for all the marbles in football. But while everyone is talking about the gridiron, these basketball teams are quietly building their resumes for March.
Losses in mid-January are what drop you from a 2-seed to a 5-seed. A 5-seed means you’re playing a "scary" mid-major in the first round of the tournament. Nobody wants that. Tonight’s games are about survival.
Your Game Night Checklist
Before you settle in, here’s how to handle the night like a pro:
- Check the local listings: If you are in a specific market (like Columbia or Spokane), local blackouts can sometimes occur on streaming apps, so have a backup plan.
- Sync your apps: If you're tracking multiple scores, the ESPN app and the NCAA's official site are usually the fastest.
- Don't forget the women's Top 25: There are more ranked teams playing on the women's side tonight than the men's. #9 Louisville is at Notre Dame at 6:00 PM ET, and #1 UConn is hosting Villanova at 7:00 PM ET.
The beauty of college sports is the unpredictability. You might tune in for Texas and South Carolina and end up watching a triple-overtime thriller between UMBC and Bryant. That's just how Thursdays go.
Next Steps for Your Viewing:
Open your streaming app of choice and "favorite" the games mentioned above so you get a notification five minutes before tip-off. If you're planning on watching the Gonzaga game, brew a pot of coffee now—that 10:00 PM ET start time in Pullman usually means a finish well past midnight for East Coasters.