College basketball season tips off
The gist
The 2026-27 college basketball season tips off Monday, with Notre Dame vs. Villanova played in Rome.
The NCAA tournament expands from 68 to 76 teams this season.
How it unfolded
- Oct 29, 2026NCAA.com reports the season will open with Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome at 9:30 a.m. EST, and the first U.S. game at 12:01 a.m. Monday between High Point and Liberty in Rock Hill, SC.
- Nov 1, 2026The women's season tips off; PIX11 airs a College Tip-Off special at 4 p.m. EST, and a Reddit highlight shows the Notre Dame-Villanova tip-off in Rome.
- Nov 2, 2026The men's season begins. The Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon starts at midnight ET with High Point vs. Liberty, followed by Grambling vs. Northern Illinois at 3 a.m. and Appalachian State vs. Merrimack at 6 a.m.