College basketball fans, buckle up! The first Saturday of 2026 has arrived, and with it comes a whirlwind of hoops action that’s sure to keep remote controls busy and streaming queues full from morning till night. With a staggering 37 games on national television—36 men’s and one women’s matchup—January 3, 2026, is shaping up to be a feast for basketball junkies everywhere.
Let’s start with the big picture: conference play is in full swing, and the schedule is loaded with must-watch battles, upsets waiting to happen, and a handful of marquee showdowns. The day’s only women’s game on national TV features the top-ranked UConn Huskies hosting Seton Hall at noon EST on FS1. There’s no surprise there—UConn’s dominance and star power always draw the spotlight. But don’t sleep on the men’s side, where 13 games feature at least one ranked squad, and a single head-to-head between two ranked teams promises fireworks: No. 19 Tennessee at No. 18 Arkansas, tipping off at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN2.
For early risers, the action starts at 11 a.m. EST (10 a.m. Central) with No. 21 Virginia visiting NC State. This ACC clash, airing on ESPN2, could set the tone for a day of surprises. Virginia’s methodical style will be tested by an NC State team hungry for a statement win. It’s the kind of matchup that could see the rankings shaken up before lunch is even served.
As the afternoon rolls on, the Top 25 is out in force. Kentucky faces a tough road test against No. 14 Alabama at noon EST on ESPN, while Oklahoma State travels to No. 15 Texas Tech at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN2. Auburn squares off with No. 23 Georgia on the SEC Network, and No. 10 BYU meets Kansas State on CBS at 1:30 p.m. EST. The Big 12 opener between No. 17 Kansas and 11-1 UCF, streaming exclusively on Peacock, is another under-the-radar gem for fans with a streaming subscription.
Speaking of streaming, today’s landscape offers more options than ever. Whether you’re tuning in via DIRECTV, FuboTV, Paramount+, SlingTV, ESPN, or Peacock, there’s a platform for every preference. Many services are offering free trials—DIRECTV and FuboTV both have five-day windows, while Paramount+ gives you a week to sample the action. Peacock, the exclusive home for some Big Ten and Big East games, starts at $7.99 a month and is showcasing the only ranked women’s head-to-head today: No. 17 USC at No. 4 UCLA at 8 p.m. EST.
But the day’s real headliner for the men’s game comes in prime time. At 8 p.m. EST, No. 5 Purdue heads to the Kohl Center to take on Wisconsin, airing on FOX. The Badgers’ home court is notoriously tough, and while Purdue’s ranking suggests they’re the favorites, the Kohl Center’s reputation for upsets looms large. “The Kohl Center is a bear to deal with,” as one analyst put it, and Wisconsin fans are hoping for a signature win to kick off the year.
Elsewhere, No. 20 Illinois visits Penn State at 7 p.m. EST on the Big Ten Network, while No. 22 Florida faces Missouri at 8:30 p.m. EST on the SEC Network. The day wraps up with Boise State at San Diego State at 9 p.m. EST on CBS Sports Network—just in case you needed one more fix before calling it a night.
On the women’s side, the spotlight is squarely on UConn. The Huskies, ranked No. 1 and playing at home against Seton Hall, are expected to put on a show for the national audience. Meanwhile, the only top-25 women’s matchup between two ranked teams—No. 17 USC at No. 4 UCLA—promises to cap off the day with intensity, skill, and perhaps a few highlight-reel plays for the late-night crowd.
Not to be overlooked, the Ivy League’s lone ranked women’s team, No. 25 Princeton, takes on Penn at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN+, while Arizona meets No. 21 Texas Tech at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN+, and No. 8 TCU faces Utah at 9 p.m. EST on the same platform. With so many options, fans are spoiled for choice.
Beyond the national TV slate, dozens of games are streaming-only. For example, No. 4 UCLA hosts No. 17 USC in a women’s clash on Peacock, and the men’s Big 12 opener between No. 17 Kansas and UCF is also streaming. The proliferation of streaming options means die-hard fans can catch nearly every dribble, dunk, and defensive stand—if they know where to look.
Looking ahead, the weekend’s action is just the beginning. On Sunday, January 4, Indiana basketball (10-3, 1-1) returns from a nearly two-week layoff to host Washington (9-4, 1-1) at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The game tips off at 8 p.m. EST on the Big Ten Network. Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson leads the way, averaging 19.0 points per game on an impressive 42.9% from beyond the arc. Tucker DeVries chips in 16.2 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Tayton Conerway and Reed Bailey provide steady contributions.
Washington, meanwhile, is sweating the status of Hannes Steinbach, who averages 18.1 points and 12.0 rebounds but is questionable with an ankle injury. Wesley Yates III is sidelined with a wrist issue, and former Indiana player Bryson Tucker is expected to come off the Huskies bench. With both teams sitting at 1-1 in conference play, this Big Ten showdown could have early-season implications. According to IndyStar’s Zach Osterman, "Leaning heavy on the computers for this one. Washington has flaws, but its greatest strength might be its ability to clear the offensive glass, an obvious weakness for Indiana. On the flip side, IU has had well more than a week to prepare for this game."
Indiana’s upcoming schedule doesn’t get any easier, with trips to Maryland and Michigan State and a home date with Nebraska looming in the next ten days. The Big Ten grind is officially underway, and every game counts.
For fans eager to watch, listen, or stream, options abound. From traditional TV networks like ESPN, FOX, and CBS to streaming services offering free trials and promotional discounts, there’s never been a better time to be a college basketball fan. Whether you’re tracking the men’s or women’s game, ranked or unranked teams, or simply searching for the next big upset, today’s slate has something for everyone.
As the clock ticks from morning to night, one thing’s for sure: college basketball’s new year is off to a roaring start. With upsets brewing, stars shining, and conference rivalries heating up, fans are in for a treat—and the best is yet to come as the season unfolds.