Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Catch the Sweet 16: Your Guide to Watching March Madness
With the first weekend of tournament play concluded, basketball enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the Sweet 16 round of March Madness. This year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has seen fewer major upsets, with all four No. 1 seeds – Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston – advancing past the opening rounds. No. 10 Arkansas remains as the sole double-digit seed after defeating No. 2 St. John’s. Despite a perceived lack of “madness” compared to previous years, the stage is set for compelling matchups in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight over the next few days.
The tournament action resumes this evening with four Sweet 16 games. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to watch and stream March Madness, leading up to the Final Four and the National Championship in April.
Cooper Flagg and top-seeded Duke will face off against No. 4 Arizona on Friday in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
When Does March Madness Tip Off Today?
The Sweet 16 round commences tonight, featuring No. 2 Alabama versus No. 6 BYU at 7:09 p.m. ET (4:09 p.m. PT) in the East Region. This will be followed by No. 1 Florida against No. 4 Maryland in the West Region, tipping off approximately 30 minutes later. The evening’s schedule also includes No. 1 Duke facing No. 4 Arizona, and No. 3 Texas Tech clashing with No. 10 Arkansas.
Sweet 16 Television Schedule
Below is the TV schedule for tonight and tomorrow, all times Eastern:
Thursday, March 27
- No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 6 BYU: 7:09 p.m. on CBS
- No. 1 Florida vs. No. 4 Maryland: 7:39 p.m. on TBS/TruTV
- No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Arizona: 9:39 p.m. on CBS
- No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 10 Arkansas: 10:09 p.m. on TBS/TruTV
Friday, March 28
- No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 6 Ole Miss: 7:09 p.m. on CBS
- No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 3 Kentucky: 7:39 p.m. on TBS/TruTV
- No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 5 Michigan: 9:39 p.m. on CBS
- No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Purdue: 10:09 p.m. on TBS/TruTV
For those looking ahead, the complete schedule for the remaining rounds of both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments is detailed below:
Men’s March Madness Schedule
- Sweet 16: March 27–28
- Elite Eight: March 29–30
- Final Four: Saturday, April 5
- National Championship: Monday, April 7
Women’s March Madness Schedule
- Sweet 16: March 28–29
- Elite Eight: March 30–31
- Final Four: Friday, April 4
- National Championship: Sunday, April 6
Streaming March Madness Without Cable
As in prior years, broadcast coverage of the tournament is distributed across four networks: CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. Access to these channels is available through traditional cable subscriptions or live TV streaming services. However, the most cost-effective approach to viewing every March Madness game live is to subscribe to two streaming platforms: Max and Paramount Plus with Showtime.
For a total of $23, basketball fans can stream every game. Max’s $10 monthly subscription provides access to games airing on TBS, TNT, and TruTV. Paramount Plus with Showtime, priced at $13 per month, will broadcast CBS games, including both Final Four matchups and the National Championship game.
To livestream March Madness games airing on CBS, viewers will need the Paramount Plus with Showtime plan, priced at $13 per month. The broadcast rights for the tournament’s final rounds alternate between TBS and CBS annually, and this year, the Final Four and National Championship will be broadcast on CBS.
For access to March Madness games on TBS, TNT, and TruTV, consider Max’s Basic with ads plan, priced at $10 monthly.
While live sports on Max will soon require the ad-free Standard plan at $17 per month, this update takes effect on Sunday, March 30. Crucially, this year’s March Madness viewing will not be affected. The final games on TBS/TNT/TruTV are the two Elite Eight games on Saturday, March 29. As the Final Four and National Championship will air on CBS, Max will not be needed after the Elite Eight round.
Compatible Devices for March Madness Streaming
Paramount Plus and Max streaming services offer apps for a wide range of devices, including iPhones, Android phones, iPads, Android tablets, and Amazon Fire tablets. These services are also accessible via major streaming platforms like Roku, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, and Fire TV, as well as smart TVs from prominent manufacturers such as LG, Samsung, and Vizio. Furthermore, they can be accessed through Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles.
Related Content: March Madness TV Deals
For a complete list, please refer to the supported devices pages for Paramount Plus and Max.
Free Options to Watch March Madness
The NCAA provides a free viewing option through its official March Madness Live site and March Madness Live app. This service allows users to stream games without immediate payment. March Madness Live is accessible on iOS and Android devices, as well as Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Xbox. The app also supports AirPlay and Chromecast. However, there is a limitation: non-pay-TV subscribers are limited to a three-hour preview period. Continued viewing requires logging in with pay TV credentials.
Live TV Streaming Services for March Madness
Live TV streaming services present another avenue for watching March Madness. Currently, three services offer all four channels broadcasting the tournament. However, channel availability can differ by location, so it’s essential to verify CBS availability in your area using the provided links for each service.
YouTube TV, priced at $83 per month, includes CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. Enter your ZIP code on their homepage to confirm CBS availability in your region. New subscribers can currently take advantage of a promotional offer, reducing the price to $70 per month for the first six months, along with a 21-day free trial. YouTube TV is a top recommendation for March Madness, offering all four required channels at a competitive price (especially with the discount) and being the sole service to support multiview, allowing simultaneous viewing of up to four games. This feature is particularly beneficial for experiencing the full excitement of March Madness.
Hulu with Live TV, also priced at $83 per month, provides access to CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. A limited three-day free trial is available. To verify local channel availability, particularly CBS, utilize the ZIP code lookup feature on their live news page, found under “Can I watch local news in my area?”.
These live TV streaming options offer the flexibility to cancel at any time, requiring only a stable internet connection. For further details, consult our guide to live TV streaming services and our recommendations for the best sports streaming services.
Utilizing a VPN to Access March Madness
In regions where viewing options are limited, a VPN with US-based servers can grant access to the tournament. By employing a VPN, users can virtually alter their device location, enabling access to games. Should your internet provider assign an IP address that incorrectly places you within a blackout zone, a VPN can rectify this by providing a US-based IP address in a non-blackout region. Leading VPNs, such as ExpressVPN, are known for their user-friendly interfaces.
It is legal to use a VPN for sports streaming in countries where VPNs are permitted, including the US and Canada, provided you hold a valid subscription to the streaming service. Ensure your VPN is properly configured to prevent IP leaks. While VPN usage is legal, streaming services may terminate accounts suspected of circumventing legitimate blackout restrictions.
ExpressVPN stands out as a leading choice for users seeking a dependable and secure VPN compatible with various devices. Priced at $13 per month, subscribing annually for $100 offers three additional months free, resulting in a 49% saving and a monthly cost of $6.67. Notably, ExpressVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Top-Seeded Teams in This Year’s Tournament
Despite a loss to Tennessee in the SEC tournament semifinals, Auburn secured the top overall seed for March Madness. The other No. 1 seeds are Duke, Houston, and Florida. Tennessee, who were defeated by Florida in the SEC tournament final, is a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, alongside Alabama, Michigan State, and St. John’s.
For a complete overview of all seeds and matchups, please refer to the official March Madness bracket.
Last Year’s March Madness Champion
In a dominant performance, the UConn Huskies defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to claim their second consecutive national championship in college basketball. This victory marked the first time a school has achieved back-to-back March Madness titles since the Florida Gators in 2007.