Watch 2026 NCAA Tournament on DISH

The 2026 NCAA Tournament has some of the most stacked brackets in years. A Duke sophomore putting up numbers nobody his age has posted in decades, a Michigan squad that’s been No. 1 for most of the season, and a Florida program coming back to defend its national title. There’s a lot to follow heading into Selection Sunday on March 15. Here’s a look at the biggest storylines ahead of the First Round on Thursday, March 19. But first, here’s how to watch the 2026 NCAA tournament on DISH.

How to Watch March Madness with DISH

March Madness games are split across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. CBS is available on DISH with America’s Top 120 and up. TBS, TNT, and truTV are available with America’s Top 200 and up. Here’s the full schedule:

The Teams To Watch

Cameron Boozer and Duke Go Hunting

After Cooper Flagg’s freshman season in 2024–25 ended with an NBA Draft selection, Duke didn’t miss a step. Sophomore Cameron Boozer has become the best player in college basketball, averaging 22.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game — numbers that make him the clear favorite for National Player of the Year. The Blue Devils enter the tournament as a projected No. 1 overall seed with a 13-2 record against Quadrant 1 opponents, second-best in the country. Duke last won a national championship in 2015, and head coach Jon Scheyer has this group peaking at exactly the right time. All eyes are on Duke during the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Michigan’s Defense Is Built for March

Dusty May’s first full season at Michigan has turned the Wolverines into one of the toughest outs in the country. They come in at 27-2 and have held the No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll for much of the year, built almost entirely on defense. Center Yaxel Lendeborg anchors the frontcourt and has the versatility to guard multiple positions, and the team has held opponents to some of the lowest shooting percentages in Division I. Michigan hasn’t won a national title since 1989. With this defense, that could change in Indianapolis.

Florida Looks to Repeat

The Gators won the 2025 National Championship and come into this tournament on a 10-game winning streak. Florida is projected as a No. 3 seed but has played like a top team down the stretch. They’re experienced, battle-tested, and have the backcourt depth to go on a run in a single-elimination tournament. No team has won back-to-back championships since Florida did it in 2006 and 2007 — but this group isn’t ruling anything out.

UConn Is Always Dangerous

Dan Hurley’s program has become the standard of consistency in college basketball and the NCAA tournaments. The Huskies won the national title in 2024, went deep again in 2025, and enter this tournament after beating St. John’s by 32 points. Their non-conference schedule — wins over Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and BYU — is among the toughest in the country. UConn doesn’t rebuild. They reload. Don’t miss a single game this team plays during the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Arizona Brings Size and Star Power

Tommy Lloyd has the Wildcats at 27-2 with one of the most physically imposing rosters in the tournament. Seven-foot-two center Motiejus Krivas is one of the best shot-blockers in the country, and freshman wing Ivan Kharchenkov — 6-foot-7, 230 pounds — is putting together a legitimate Player of the Year case of his own. Arizona owns the best Quadrant 1 record in the country, ahead of even Duke. If these two meet in the Final Four, clear your schedule.