As the MLB and WNBA seasons wind down, college basketball is just getting started.
The 2026-27 men’s campaign will tip off this weekend — and the field of contenders is wide open.
Defending national champion Michigan has a revamped roster and coaching staff after Dusty May left for the NBA. Florida, which won the title in 2025, is the preseason No. 1 ahead of Duke, looking to get over the hump with Jon Scheyer after several close calls.
When does the college basketball season start? Here are the key dates to know for 2026-27.
When does the men’s college basketball season start?
The NCAA men’s basketball season begins on Sunday, Nov. 1, with one game. Most teams will play their first game on Monday, Nov. 2.
Men’s college basketball opening night schedule
On Sunday, Nov. 1, just one games is scheduled — Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome, Italy — pitting Pope Leo XIV’s alma mater (Villanova) against another Catholic institution (Notre Dame) just outside his residence (Vatican City).
There are 183 games involving Division I teams on Monday, Nov. 2, with the first game tipping off at midnight as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon (Liberty vs. High Point).
Here are the ranked teams in action that day:
No. 14 Miami vs. No. 1 Florida, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Oakland vs. No. 16 Michigan, 6 p.m. ET (BTN)
Army vs. No. 2 Duke, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Monmouth vs. No. 13 St. John’s, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Quinnipiac vs. No. 6 Michigan State, 7 p.m. ET (B1G+)
Memphis vs. No. 18 Iowa State, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
Jackson State vs. No. 19 Texas Tech, 7 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
Bellarmine vs. No. 24 Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. ET (SECN+)
No. 15 Gonzaga vs. Purdue, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Fairleigh Dickinson vs. No. 3 Illinois, 8 p.m. ET (BTN)
Fordham vs. No. 17 Kansas, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Gardner-Webb vs. No. 4 UConn, 9 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Chicago State vs. No. 7 Texas, 9 p.m. ET (SECN)
La Salle vs. No. 10 Houston, 9 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
Chattanooga vs. No. 11 Louisville, 9 p.m. ET (ACCN)
Ohio State vs. No. 25 BYU, 9 p.m. ET (FS1)
No. 5 Arizona vs. No. 22 UCLA, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Milwaukee vs. No. 21 USC, 10:30 p.m. ET (B1G+)
When does the men’s college basketball season end?
The last games before the NCAA Tournament will be played on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
Conference tournaments will be held throughout that week leading into Selection Sunday on March 14.
When is men’s March Madness in 2027?
The NCAA Tournament will look a little different this season, with the field expanding from 68 teams to 76 for a super-sized opening round. The traditional First Four in Dayton, Ohio, will include 12 games this season instead of four, followed by the usual setup of 64 teams in the first round.
Action will begin on Tuesday, March 16, 2027, and end with the national championship on Monday, April 5, 2027.
Where is the 2027 Final Four?
The 2027 Final Four will be held at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
It will mark the city’s second time hosting the men’s Final Four and first time since 2009, when North Carolina beat Michigan State in the title game.
The Michigan Wolverines defeated the UConn Huskies 69-63 on April 6 to win their first national championship since 1989, capping one of the most dominant tournament runs in March Madness history.