2016 March Madness schedule: Thursday's NCAA Tournament times, TV guide
The NCAA Men's Basketball tournament tips off Thursday, with a full slate of 16 games, beginning just after noon ET.
Here is everything you need to know regarding coverage, along with must-watch story lines heading into opening weekend.
Game times are listed below, along with the tv channel and announcers calling the game.
In addition, DIRECTV has launched an exclusive on-screen interactive bracket app so fans can make their picks by turning to channel 701. Then to see how their predictions panned out, they can click over one channel (702) to watch DIRECTV’s Mix Channel coverage, featuring TNT, TBS and truTV all on one screen. The Mix coverage begins with today's games and will include both pre-and post-game, running through the semifinals on Sunday, March 27.
The Bracket application will be available 24/7 through April 5, the day after the championship game.
Let the Madness begin!
Take a look at the full bracket and print it here.
- Ranking Thursday's games by watchability
- NCAA tournament tip sheet: Your one stop shop for March Madness info.
- 2016 NCAA Tournament Regional Analysis: SOUTH | EAST | MIDWEST | WEST
BRACKET CHALLENGE: Create a pool!
MUST-READ STORIES
- Seven bold predictions for the NCAA tournament: Anyone who has filled out a bracket knows March is always wild and unpredictable. Here's a look at seven predictions that will shake up the bracket.
- The Year of the Senior: Going with senior-laden teams can be a a good rule of thumb when filling out your bracket. This year in particular, that strategy can reap great rewards.
- X-Factors: Players who could determine team's success in NCAA tournament
- NCAA tournament selection committee brutally snubs mid-majors: Scott Gleeson takes a look at the credentials of the most notable snubs and why they deserve be dancing instead of playing in the NIT.
PHOTOS: All 68 teams in the 2015 NCAA tournament
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12:15 p.m. (4) Duke vs. (13) North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)
- CBS: Ian Eagle, Chris Webber, Len Elmore, Evan Washburn.
12:40 p.m. (8) Texas Tech vs (9) Butler
- truTV: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner, Lewis Johnson
1:30 p.m. (8) Colorado vs (9) Connecticut
- TNT: Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson
2:00 p.m. (4) Iowa State vs (13) Iona
- TBS: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Jamie Eradhl
2:45 p.m. (5) Baylor vs. (12) Yale
- CBS Ian Eagle, Chris, Webber Len Elmore, Evan Washburn
3:10 p.m. (1) Virginia vs. (16) Hampton
- truTV: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner, Lewis Johnson
4:00 p.m. (1) Kansas vs. (16) Austin Peay
- TNT: Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson
4:30 p.m. (5) Purdue vs. (12) Arkansas-Little Rock
- TBS: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Jamie Eradhl
6:50 p.m. (3) Miami (Fla.) vs. (14) Buffalo
- TNT: Ian Eagle, Chris, Webber Len Elmore, Evan Washburn
7:10 p.m. (5) Indiana vs. (12) Chattanooga
- CBS: Jim, Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson
7:20 p.m. (1) North Carolina vs. (16) Florida Gulf Coast
- TBS: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner, Lewis Johnson
7:27 p.m. (3) Utah vs. (14) Fresno State
- truTV: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Jamie Eradhl
9:20 p.m. (6) Arizona vs. (11) Wichita State
- TNT: Ian Eagle, Chris, Webber Len Elmore, Evan Washburn
9:40 p.m. (4) Kentucky vs. (13) Stony Brook
- CBS: Jim, Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson
9:50 p.m. (8) Southern California (USC) vs. (9) Providence
- TBS: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner, Lewis Johnson
9:57 p.m. (6) Seton Hall vs. (11) Gonzaga
- truTV: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Jamie Eradhl