March Madness 2026: How to watch the Michigan vs. Howard first-round game tonight in the men's NCAA basketball tournament

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The Michigan Wolverines will face Howard University tonight during the first round of the men's NCAA March Madness tournament, here's how to watch. (Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Howard University Bison won their First Four matchup on Tuesday to advance to the first round the March Madness tournament, but they face a difficult challenger there: the No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines. The odds are in Michigan's favor, but Michigan will be playing without guard L. J. Cason tonight, who is out with an ACL tear. Will that affect their success during this year's NCAA tournament? We'll have to tune in to find out. The Michigan vs. Howard game will take place this Thursday, March 19, at 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can catch all the action on CBS and Paramount+ (Premium plan only).

For a list of the men's NCAA tournament key dates, teams, and how to watch every March Madness game, we've got you covered. Here's a look at how to watch the entire tournament, from the first round right up to the Championship Final.

How to watch the Michigan vs. Howard game:​

Dates: March 19, 2026

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

TV channel: CBS

Streaming: DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+ and more

When is the Michigan vs. Howard first-round game? ​

The Michigan vs. Howard game is on Thursday, March 19 at 7:10 p.m. ET.

Where to watch the Michigan vs. Howard game:​

The first-round game between Michigan and Howard airs on CBS.

Where to stream the Michigan vs. Howard game without cable: ​

Thursday's Michigan vs. Howard game will stream live on Paramount+ Premium. You'll also be able to access every men's March Madness game on live TV services like DirecTV and YouTube TV.

Which teams are competing in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament?​

The following is a breakdown of every First Round game schedule, including who's playing and how to watch.

All times Eastern

Thursday, March 19​

• 
  12:15 p.m.: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU (CBS)
  
  
• 
  12:40 p.m.: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy (TruTV)
  
  
• 
  1:30 p.m.: No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida (TNT)
  
  
• 
  1:50 p.m.: No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 High Point (TBS)
  
  
• 
  2:50 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena (CBS)
  
  
• 
  3:15 p.m.: No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese (TruTV)
  
  
• 
  4:05 p.m.: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State (TNT)
  
  
• 
  4:25 p.m.: No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawaii (TBS)
  
  
• 
  6:50 p.m.: No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 VCU (TNT)
  
  
• 
  7:10 p.m.: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard (CBS)
  
  
• 
  7:25 p.m.: No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Texas (TBS)
  
  
• 
  7:35 p.m.: No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (TruTV)
  
  
• 
  9:25 p.m.: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Penn (TNT)
  
  
• 
  9:45 p.m.: No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis (CBS)
  
  
• 
  10 p.m.: No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State (TBS)
  
  
• 
  10:10 p.m.: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Idaho (TruTV)
  

Friday, March 20

• 
  12:15 p.m.: No. 7 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Santa Clara (CBS)
  
  
• 
  12:40 p.m.: No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Akron (TruTV)
  
  
• 
  1:35 p.m.: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 16 LIU (TNT)
  
  
• 
  1:50 p.m.: No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State (TBS)
  
  
• 
  2:50 p.m.: No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Tennessee State (CBS)
  
  
• 
  3:15 p.m.: No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 Hofstra (TruTV)
  
  
• 
  4:10 p.m.: No. 8 Villanova vs. No. 9 Utah State (TNT)
  
  
• 
  4:25 p.m.: No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) (TBS)
  
  
• 
  6:50 p.m.: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Iowa (TNT)
  
  
• 
  7:10 p.m.: No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa (CBS)
  
  
• 
  7:25 p.m.: No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF (TBS)
  
  
• 
  7:35 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 Queens (TruTV)
  
  
• 
  9:25 p.m.: No. 16 Prairie View A&M vs. No. 1 Florida (TNT)
  
  
• 
  9:45 p.m.: No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Cal Baptist (CBS)
  
  
• 
  10 p.m.: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman (TBS)
  
  
• 
  10:10 p.m.: No. 7 Miami vs. No. 10 Missouri (TruTV)
  

2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament schedule:​

The schedule and locations for the men's tournament:

• 
  Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 15 on CBS
  
  
• 
  First Four: Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18
  
  
• 
  First round: Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20
  
  
• 
  Second round: Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
  
  
• 
  Sweet 16: Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27
  
  
• 
  Elite Eight: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
  
  
• 
  Final Four: Saturday, April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
  
  
• 
  NCAA championship game: Monday, April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
  

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