When does March Madness start? TV channels and start times for NCAA Tournament

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Zach Brendza | Monday, March 15, 2021 11:04 a.m.

The NCAA logo is displayed at center court at the former Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh in 2015.

After a year without it, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is back.

The bracket was released Sunday and games start Thursday to kick off March Madness.

Here’s where to watch the day’s games and when they start as the tournament tips off:

Thurday, First Four

Channels: TBS and truTV

Games: four (play-in)

First game: Texas Southern vs. Mount. St. Mary’s. at 5:10 p.m. (truTV)

Drake vs. Wichita State at 6:27 p.m. (TBS)

Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State at 8:40 p.m. (truTV)

Last game: UCA vs. Michigan State at 9:57 p.m. (TBS)

Friday, First round

Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV

Games: 16

First game: Florida vs. Virginia Tech at 12:15 p.m. (CBS)

Last game: Villanova vs. Winthrop at 9:57 p.m. (TNT)

Saturday, First round

Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV

Games: 16

First game: Colorado vs. Georgetown at 12:15 p.m. (CBS)

Last game: Oregon vs. VCU at 9:57 p.m. (TNT)

Next rounds

Second round: Games start at 12 p.m. March 21. Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV

Sweet 16: Games start at 2 p.m. on March 27. Channels: CBS and TBS

Elite Eight: Games start at 7 p.m. March 29. Channels: CBS and TBS

Final Four: Games start at 5 p.m. April 3. Channel: CBS

National Championship: Game is at 9 p.m. April 5. Channel: CBS