Villanova and Utah State Face Off in March Madness Round 1

Game time, TV channel, and streaming details for the highly anticipated matchup

Mar. 20, 2026 at 7:35am

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It's been a decade since Villanova's Kris Jenkins hit the iconic game-winning shot to clinch the 2016 national championship. Now, under head coach Kevin Willard, the Wildcats are back in the NCAA Tournament, facing off against Utah State in the first round of March Madness.

Why it matters

This matchup between Villanova and Utah State is highly anticipated, as both teams are looking to make a deep run in the tournament. Villanova, a perennial powerhouse, is seeking to recapture the magic of its 2016 championship, while Utah State aims to prove it can compete with the top programs in the country.

The details

The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 19th, with tipoff set for 7:10 PM ET. It will be broadcast nationally on CBS, and fans can also stream the action live on the March Madness Live app or CBSSports.com.

  • The game will be played on Thursday, March 19th, 2026.
  • Tipoff is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET.

The players

Villanova Wildcats

A perennial NCAA basketball powerhouse, the Villanova Wildcats are seeking to return to the national championship conversation under head coach Kevin Willard.

Utah State Aggies

The Utah State Aggies are looking to pull off an upset and advance in the NCAA Tournament, challenging the more established Villanova program.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited for the opportunity to compete against a program with the history and success of Villanova. Our team has been working hard all season, and we're ready for the challenge.”

— Ryan Odom, Head Coach, Utah State Aggies

“It's been a long road back, but we're grateful to be in the tournament and have a chance to make another run at the title. This group has been through a lot, and they're ready to leave it all on the court.”

— Kevin Willard, Head Coach, Villanova Wildcats

What’s next

The winner of the Villanova-Utah State matchup will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face the winner of the game between the #2 seed and the #15 seed in their region.

The takeaway

This first-round clash between Villanova and Utah State promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle, as two teams with different pedigrees and aspirations vie for a spot in the next round of the NCAA Tournament.