What time does the NCAA championship start? TV schedule, channel for …

What time does the NCAA championship start? TV schedule, channel for 2026 college basketball title game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With just two teams standing atop the collegiate basketball sphere, the 2026 national championship matchup is set.

UConn is back in the title game for the third time in four years after holding Illinois to just 62 points in Saturday's semifinal. The Huskies didn't enter the NCAA Tournament with the same kind of expectations as two years ago, but their personal expectations never wavered. Dan Hurley expects to win championships, and he is one win away from a third that would put him in rare territory in college basketball history.

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In a shift from UConn's first two championship game appearances under Hurley, the Huskies are considerable underdogs. Michigan looks like a juggernaut after dismantling Arizona in the national semifinals, even as Yaxel Lendeborg battled injuries and early foul trouble. Lendeborg's health is a story entering Monday's game, but the Wolverines looked fully capable of playing championship basketball with him at less than 100 percent.

A UConn win would cement a dynasty in Storrs, but Michigan has a chance to win its first national championship since 1989 and the first for the Big Ten since 2000. For Dusty May, the opportunity to start building a historic legacy is on the line.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA Championship from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., and when to tune in to watch the game, including TV channel and timing for the highly-anticipated final matchup.

What time does the NCAA championship game start?

• Date: Monday, April 6
• Time: 8:50 p.m. ET

UConn vs. Michigan will tip off at 8:50 p.m. ET from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

What channel is UConn vs. Michigan on today?

• TV channel: TBS, TNT, and truTV
• Live stream: DIRECTV

UConn vs. Michigan will air on TBS, along with TNT and truTV also carrying coverage. Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, and Grant Hill are calling the games with reporter Tracy Wolfson. Gene Steratore will serve as rules analyst.

Fans looking to stream the NCAA championship game can watch live on DIRECTV.

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UConn NCAA Tournament results 2026

Michigan NCAA Tournament results 2026

Related Links

• 2026 NCAA men's tournament bracket
• Men's college basketball scores, schedule
• Latest men's college basketball news
• How to bet on college basketball

Texas women's basketball fans may be sad about the Longhorns' Final Four loss, but there are reasons to be happy about the future.

Two future Longhorns raised some eyebrows last week at the high school level. Class of 2026 signees Aaliah "Lizzy" Spaight and Brihanna Crittendon teamed up for the McDonald's All-American challenge Tuesday. Even though their West team didn't win, those two looked like some of the best players on the court.

Crittendon had a team-high 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting. She made a 3-pointer and several shots in the paint. On one touch, she corralled the ball in traffic and finished a layup while being fouled. She made 2 of her 3 foul shots on the night. The 6-foot-3 native of Thornton, Colo. led her school to its first state title and was a finalist for Team USA's U17 squad.

RELATED: Rori Harmon dishes one last assist, but it wasn't on the court

ESPN #8 Brihanna Crittendon is one of THEM‼️🔥 #KeepDoubtinpic.twitter.com/9xuFC6e6R8

— RareFootage (@RareFootageNews) April 2, 2026

"We had a definite need at the power forward position and we feel like Bri with her size, athleticism and skill set will really be able to be that monster big guard that can play multiple positions for us," head coach Vic Schaefer has said.

The five-star recruit also had offers from UCLA, Tennessee and Oregon, among others. Earlier this year, she broke the Colorado state record for career points.

Spaight scored eight point on of 3-for-5 shooting. The 5-foot-7 guard added five rebounds and three assists. She flashed an ability to shoot off the dribble and finish around the rim. Schaefer has described her as "very dynamic" with the ability to score at all three levels.

Aaliah “Lizzy” Spaight is the GOODS‼️🔥 #KeepDoubtinpic.twitter.com/Tq2eRxgbMQ

— RareFootage (@RareFootageNews) April 1, 2026

"I'm really excited about her athleticism and quickness that she can bring to the floor both offensively and defensively," he said after she signed "She sees the floor well and can run a team. A fierce competitor, she will defend with pressure with her quickness, speed and athleticism."

She won a Nevada state championship at Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High while averaging 19.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and four steals per game. Spaight was also named Nevada's player of the year as a sophomore. LSU and South Carolina were among several programs interested in Spaight.

Texas lost to UCLA in the Final Four on Friday, ending a 35-4 season that including an SEC Tournament title-game win. The Longhorns will lose rotational players Teya Sidberry and Kyla Oldacre as well as star guard Rori Harmon, who started over 150 games for the Longhorns dating back to 2021. But Texas will return sophomore Jordan Lee and freshman Aaliyah Crump as well as All-American forward Madison Booker.

Crittendon is ranked the No. 8 player in the class by ESPN and Spaight is No. 20. Addision Bjorn, the No. 10 player, is committed to the Longhorns for 2026, too. She's the all-time leading scorer at her high school and she earned a goal medal, alongside Crump, as part of Team USA at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. Each of these teens has been named the Gatorade Player of the Year in their state.

Also joining the Longhorns in 2026 is Amalia Holguin, a 5-foot-9 guard ranked 57th among the prospects in her recruiting class. According to UT, Holguin is on pace to become the all-time leading scorer at California's Sage Hill High School.

2 departed Yankees are outdoing themselves for Mets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A year after Juan Soto made the trek from Yankee Stadium to Citi Field, two more New York Yankees joined the Mets this offseason.

And in moving from the Bronx to Queens, so far, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver have outdone themselves relative to the production they had in pinstripes.

Williams has pitched in four games this season and has a 0.00 ERA in 4.0 innings with two successful saves.

Weaver has also pitched in four games and 4.0 innings with a 0.00 ERA.

Devin Williams & Like Weaver combined so far:

8 IP
0-0 (8 G)
0.00 ERA
1.00 WHIP
7 Ks (7.9 K/9)
.154 BAA
2 saves
1 hold

Back end of the bullpen has been nails for the Mets to start the season🔥 pic.twitter.com/9BVMVgDE3E

— Mets Scope (@MetsScope) April 5, 2026

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Both pitchers were less than their best selves for most of last season with the Yankees, but that may have been due to the fickleness of relief pitching more than anything else.

The Mets needed to land them this offseason to make up for a big loss -- long-time closer Edwin Diaz signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency.

Williams and Weaver's success hurts a little extra for the Yankees coming off a Sunday in which the bullpen blew a lead in a loss to the Marlins.

They likely won't have 0.00 ERAs the whole season, but they're definitely talented arms who can continue to finish games well for the Mets. All the Yankees can do is watch from across town.

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The German Football League (DFL) has strongly condemned the riots that occurred during the second-division match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

"These riots have nothing to do with fan culture. For months, we have been advocating for sensible and reasonable security measures to strengthen safety in stadiums and preserve positive fan culture. These incidents endanger fan culture and the entire sport," the DFL told dpa on Monday.

The DFL called for a swift and thorough investigation of the events, which is in the best interests of all 36 clubs that together make up German professional football.

The Dresden Police Directorate said on Sunday that it opened more than a dozen investigations after the incident, while the German Football Federation (DFB) also plans to launch its own preliminary probe into both clubs.

The chaos started when pyrotechnics were initially set off by fans from both clubs during the match on Saturday evening.

Supporters of both teams then climbed over fences and masked Dresden supporters ran along the edge of the pitch towards the Hertha section.

Referee Sven Jablonski had to halt the match and sent both teams to the dressing rooms after the clashes.

Police officers tried to push Dynamo supporters back into their section, where a Hertha flag was then burned.

Away fans first breached a barrier and entered the inner area of the stadium, which security staff were unable to prevent, the police said. Around 60 people on the Dresden side were also able to get past the barrier.

Hertha won the game 1-0.

Women’s college basketball has produced some of the most gripping title games in sports. These NCAA games are about more than just a trophy. They carry pressure, emotion, and moments that stay with fans for years. Some ended with buzzer-beaters. Others saw teams come back from big deficits. A few helped shape the future of the sport.

Over time, the stage has only grown bigger. More people watch now. Bigger stars have emerged. Players like Caitlin Clark and Cheryl Miller brought attention to the game in different eras. Coaches like Dawn Staley and Pat Summitt built programs that defined winning.

MORE: Best college basketball coaches to never win NCAA Tournament

Every game on this list had something unique. Some were tight until the last second. Some featured standout performances. Others had a lasting impact on the sport. Together, they show how strong and exciting women’s college basketball has become.

Here are the 10 best women’s NCAA championship games ever, along with an honorable mention.

10. South Carolina 87, Iowa 75 (2024)

South Carolina capped off a perfect season with this win. They finished 38–0, which makes the game even more special.

Meanwhile, Iowa stayed competitive thanks to Caitlin Clark. She kept scoring and applied constant pressure. However, South Carolina’s depth proved too strong. Their size inside the paint made a huge difference.

As the game went on, the Gamecocks slowly pulled away. They dominated rebounds and controlled the pace.

Why it stands out:
This game completed a perfect season. It also featured a superstar performance and confirmed South Carolina as a modern powerhouse.

9. Maryland 78, Duke 75 OT (2006)

At first, Maryland looked out of the game. They trailed by 13 points, and things seemed over.

However, the comeback changed everything. Kristi Toliver hit a clutch three-pointer to force overtime. That moment shifted the momentum.

In overtime, Maryland stayed composed and finished the job to win their first title.

Why it stands out:
The comeback was huge. The pressure was intense, and the overtime finish made it unforgettable.

8. LSU 102, Iowa 85 (2023)

This game was all about offense from the start. Both teams scored quickly, and the total reached 187 points.

On one side, Angel Reese dominated. On the other, Caitlin Clark delivered another big performance. Even so, LSU pulled away late as their scoring proved too much.

Why it stands out:
The high-scoring action grabbed attention. It also showcased two of the biggest stars in women’s basketball.

7. North Carolina 60, Louisiana Tech 59 (1994)

This game stayed tight from start to finish. Defense controlled the tempo throughout.

Neither team allowed easy points, so every possession mattered. In the end, North Carolina edged out a one-point win in a tense finish.

Why it stands out:
The strong defense stood out. Plus, the one-point margin makes it one of the closest finals ever.

MORE: College basketball expert Andy Katz reveals his dark horse final four

6. Notre Dame 61, Mississippi State 58 (2018)

This game produced one of the most iconic moments in NCAA history.

With the game on the line, Arike Ogunbowale hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to win it. Even more impressive, she had already done the same in the semifinal. So, doing it again made it legendary.

Why it stands out:
The buzzer-beater was unforgettable. Back-to-back clutch shots turned Ogunbowale into a March legend.

5. Tennessee 70, Virginia 67 OT (1991)

This matchup was a hard-fought battle. Both teams competed for every point. As expected, the game went into overtime, raising the intensity.

In the end, Tennessee came out on top. The win added to the legacy of coach Pat Summitt.

Why it stands out:
The overtime drama made it exciting. It also played a key role in building Tennessee’s early dominance.

4. Notre Dame 68, Purdue 66 (2001)

This game marked a historic moment for Notre Dame. They won their first national title.

Throughout the game, things stayed close. Ruth Riley led the team with strong play inside. Ultimately, better execution in key moments made the difference.

Why it stands out:
It was a breakthrough win. Riley’s performance stood out, and the close finish added excitement.

3. USC 69, Louisiana Tech 67 (1983)

This game came early in NCAA women’s basketball history. So, it played a big role in growing the sport.

Cheryl Miller dominated and led USC to a narrow win. More importantly, the impact of this game went beyond the final score.

Why it stands out:
The historical importance is huge. Miller’s performance helped bring national attention to the sport.

2. Baylor 82, Notre Dame 81 (2019)

This game had everything fans could ask for. Both teams kept trading big plays. As a result, the score remained close until the final seconds.

After all, a controversial no-call added drama, and Baylor held on for a one-point win.

Why it stands out:
The dramatic ending made headlines. The high level of play made it feel like a true championship battle.

MORE: 10 basketball players who became NBA stars after March Madness

1. Stanford 54, Arizona 53 (2021)

This game came down to the final possession. Arizona had a chance to win at the buzzer.

However, Stanford’s defense held strong, and the shot missed. As a result, Stanford secured a one-point victory in a tense finish.

Why it stands out:
The pressure lasted the entire game. In the end, one defensive stop decided everything.

Honorable Mention – UCLA 79, South Carolina 51 (2026)

UCLA made history in this game by winning its first NCAA-era national title. From the very beginning, they took full control and never looked back.

In fact, UCLA dominated every part of the game. The 28-point margin clearly showed how one-sided it was. On the other hand, South Carolina struggled to respond and could not keep up at any stage.

As the game went on, the gap only grew bigger. Because of that, the match never really felt close or competitive.

Why it stands out:
The victory was historic for UCLA. However, the large margin meant the game lacked tension and drama, which kept it from being an all-time classic.

Final thoughts

These games show the best of women’s college basketball. Close finishes, big plays, and strong teams define them. Each one left a mark on the sport. More great games will come, but these remain special.