It is one of those Thursdays where the schedule looks light on paper until you actually start digging into the matchups. If you've been asking who plays in ncaa basketball tonight, you are about to realize that the women’s side of the bracket is absolutely stealing the spotlight with a legitimate "Super Thursday." We have top-five showdowns, bitter SEC rivalries, and some sneaky-good mid-major men’s games that are perfect for a late-night sweat.
College hoops in mid-January is basically a war of attrition.
The holiday tournaments are long gone. The "buy games" against Cupcake State are over. Now, it’s just pure, unadulterated conference play where teams know each other's plays better than their own social security numbers. Tonight, January 15, 2026, features a massive slate that could drastically reshape the AP Top 25 by Monday morning.
The Massive Women’s Top 25 Showdowns
If you aren't watching the women’s game right now, honestly, you’re just missing out on the best basketball on the planet. Tonight’s headliner is a heavyweight bout that feels like a Final Four preview.
No. 4 Texas at No. 2 South Carolina
This is the big one. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2. Dawn Staley has turned Columbia into a fortress, but Texas is coming in with enough length to actually give the Gamecocks problems. South Carolina is currently chasing that No. 1 spot held by UConn, and a win here basically cements their resume for a top seed in March. Expect a physical, defensive grind.
No. 5 Vanderbilt at Mississippi State
Vanderbilt has been the surprise of the SEC this year. They’re sitting at No. 5 and looking like a juggernaut, but going into Starkville is never easy. This one starts at 6:30 PM ET on SEC Network. Mississippi State is desperate for a signature win to bolster their tournament hopes, making this a classic "trap game" for the Dores.
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No. 12 Maryland at USC
Over on the West Coast, we have a cross-country Big Ten clash—which still sounds weird to say, doesn't it? Maryland travels to the Galen Center to take on a USC team that has been a bit up and down but possesses enough star power to beat anyone. This one is a Peacock exclusive at 9:00 PM ET. If you're a fan of high-scoring guard play, this is your game.
Men’s College Basketball Matchups Tonight
While the women have the "ranked vs. ranked" fireworks, the men’s side is dominated by crucial conference positioning. It’s a big night for the West Coast Conference (WCC) and several mid-major leagues where the regular-season title is currently a four-way tie.
No. 9 Gonzaga at Washington State
The Zags are back in the top ten and looking like their old dominant selves. They head to Pullman to face a Washington State team that always plays them tough at home.
- Time: 10:00 PM ET
- TV: CBSSN
- The Vibe: High-octane offense. Gonzaga's frontcourt is the best in the country right now, but Wazzu’s crowd will be deafening.
Wichita State at Florida Atlantic
This is a massive game for the AAC standings. Both teams are hovering right on the edge of the "First Four Out" in most bracketology projections.
- Time: 9:00 PM ET
- TV: ESPN2
- The Vibe: Desperation. The loser of this game is going to have a very steep hill to climb for an at-large bid.
The CAA Logjam
If you like gritty, East Coast hoops, the Coastal Athletic Association has a full slate. Hofstra travels to Stony Brook (7:00 PM ET, FloCollege) for a Long Island rivalry that usually ends in a buzzer-beater. Meanwhile, Charleston faces Towson (8:00 PM ET, CBSSN) in a game that will likely decide who leads the conference heading into the weekend.
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Under-the-Radar Games Worth a Look
Sometimes the best basketball happens when nobody is looking. If you're a true hoop head, you might want to flip over to some of these smaller matchups.
New Mexico State at Liberty (6:00 PM ET, CBSSN)
Liberty is currently the class of Conference USA. They play a slow, methodical style that drives opponents crazy. If you enjoy watching a team "execute you to death" with backdoor cuts and 25-second possessions, this is the one for you.
Oakland at Milwaukee (7:00 PM ET, ESPU)
The Horizon League is always chaos. Oakland is trying to stay relevant after their historic tournament run last year, while Milwaukee has one of the most underrated home-court advantages in the Midwest.
Green Bay at Cleveland State (7:00 PM ET, ESPN+)
Green Bay is riding a four-game win streak. They are playing with a ton of confidence right now, and Cleveland State has struggled lately. It's a classic "momentum vs. home-court" battle.
Why These Games Matter for March
We are officially in the "middle third" of the season. This is where teams either solidify their identity or start to crumble under the pressure of the grind. When looking at who plays in ncaa basketball tonight, don't just look at the names on the jerseys—look at the records.
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For teams like South Carolina and Texas, tonight is about seeding. They want to stay in that top-four conversation to ensure they don't have to travel during the first weekend of the Big Dance. For teams like USC or Wichita State, tonight is about survival. A loss doesn't end their season, but it makes the margin for error razor-thin.
The transfer portal has made the talent gap smaller than ever. You’ll see it tonight; a mid-major guard who spent three years at a D2 school will probably go off for 30 points against a high-major opponent. That’s the beauty of January basketball.
How to Watch: A Quick TV Guide
Watching college sports in 2026 is basically a scavenger hunt across six different streaming apps and four cable channels. Here is the easiest way to navigate your remote tonight:
- ESPN2/SECN: Your home for the big-name women's games (Texas/South Carolina and Vandy/Miss State).
- CBSSN: The place for late-night men's hoops (Gonzaga/WSU and Charleston/Towson).
- Peacock: Essential for the Big Ten matchups like Maryland vs. USC.
- ESPN+: If you want to see the Horizon League or the AAC, you'll need this sub.
- FloCollege: The exclusive home for the CAA games like Hofstra/Stony Brook.
Actionable Tips for Following the Action
If you want to keep up with the scores without refreshing a buggy app every ten seconds, here’s how to handle tonight like a pro:
- Check the Net Rankings: Before the games start, look at where these teams sit in the NCAA's official NET rankings. It helps you understand if a "win" is actually a Quad 1 or Quad 2 victory.
- Follow the Beat Writers: Skip the national talking heads. Follow the local reporters on social media for the specific teams playing. They usually have the scoop on late-game injuries or flu bugs hitting the locker room that the TV broadcast won't mention until halftime.
- Watch the Lines: Keep an eye on the point spreads. If a top-10 team is only a 2-point favorite against an unranked opponent, the Vegas sharps know something you don't. That’s usually the game you want to keep an eye on for an upset.
The schedule tonight is dense. Whether you’re pulling for a powerhouse like South Carolina or rooting for an underdog in the WCC, the stakes are finally starting to feel real. Grab some wings, clear the couch, and enjoy the chaos.
To stay ahead of the curve, verify the tip-off times on the official NCAA website or your preferred sports app, as television networks occasionally shift windows last minute for "flex" scheduling. Make sure your streaming logins are active at least fifteen minutes before the Texas and South Carolina game starts, as high-traffic games on ESPN2 frequently experience lag during the opening minutes. For the best experience with the Maryland and USC game, ensure your Peacock app is updated to the latest version to avoid playback errors during the second half.