The 2026 NCAA Tournament tips off on Thursday with a compelling No. 8 vs. No. 9 matchup between Ohio State and TCU, kicking off March Madness in the East Region from Greenville, South Carolina.
How to Stream Ohio State vs. TCU
Fans looking to stream the game have multiple options available. Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to the live broadcast, as the game airs on CBS. The streaming service is currently offering a promotional deal of $2.99 per month for the first two months, making it an affordable option for those looking to catch tournament action throughout March.
The NCAA March Madness Live app is another option for fans who want to follow the action. The app is available on Apple and Google Play devices, as well as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, LG smart TVs, and Xbox consoles. The app features multiview capabilities that let fans watch up to four games simultaneously during the tournament.
For those with cable or satellite subscriptions, logging in through your TV provider credentials will grant access to the game through CBS.com or the CBS Sports app. Live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, and Fubo also carry CBS and will broadcast the game live.
Ohio State vs. TCU Tipoff Time
The Buckeyes and Horned Frogs will tip off at 12:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 19, 2026. This matchup is the first game of the NCAA Tournament’s first round, marking the official start of March Madness after the First Four games earlier in the week.
The early afternoon tip time means fans on the West Coast will need to tune in at 9:15 a.m. PT, while those in the Central Time Zone can catch the action at 11:15 a.m. CT.
Ohio State vs. TCU TV Channel
The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS, making it one of the marquee matchups of the opening day. Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play duties alongside analysts Bill Raftery and Grant Hill. Tracy Wolfson will serve as the sideline reporter for the broadcast.
For radio listeners, the Ohio State Radio Network from Learfield will carry the game with Paul Keels and former Buckeye captain Ron Stokes on the call. Westwood One will air the game nationally on the radio with Noah Eagle and LaPhonso Ellis providing commentary.
Ohio State vs. TCU Game Location
The game will be held at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The venue is hosting first- and second-round games for the East Region, with the winner of Ohio State vs. TCU advancing to face the winner of No. 1 seed Duke and No. 16 seed Siena on Saturday.
Ohio State vs. TCU Matchup Preview
This matchup marks the fifth meeting all-time between the two programs and the first in the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State leads the series 4-0, but the teams have not met since an 89-80 Buckeye victory in Fort Worth on Dec. 29, 1969.
The Buckeyes (21-12) are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022, when they defeated Loyola Chicago in the opening round before falling to Villanova in the second round. This will be the first tournament experience for Ohio State’s entire starting lineup, though transfer Puff Johnson was part of North Carolina’s run to the championship game in 2022.
Bruce Thornton leads Ohio State in scoring and has been the catalyst for the Buckeyes’ tournament push. The senior guard will need to be at his best against a TCU team that has found its stride late in the season.
TCU (22-11) enters the tournament having won nine of its last 11 games since Feb. 7. David Punch leads the Horned Frogs in scoring at 14.3 points per game and rebounding at 6.7 boards per contest. The late-season surge has TCU playing with confidence as it looks to make noise in March.
