March Madness 2026: How to watch the Duke vs. Siena first-round game in the men’s NCAA basketball tournament

This year’s ACC men’s champions, Duke University, will kick off their bid to win March Madness 2026 with a first-round game against Siena College. Duke is one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament (along with Michigan, Arizona, and Florida); Siena is ranked No. 16. The game will take place this Thursday, March 19, at 2:50 p.m. ET, and you can catch all the action on CBS and Paramount+ (Premium plan only).

For a list of the men’s NCAA tournament key dates, teams, and how to watch every March Madness game, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a look at how to watch the entire tournament, from the first round right up to the Championship Final.

How to watch the Duke vs. Siena game:

Dates: March 19, 2026

Times: 2:50 p.m. ET

TV channel: CBS

Streaming: DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+ and more

When is the Duke vs. Siena first-round game?

The Duke vs. Siena game is on Thursday, March 19 at 2:40 p.m. ET.

Where to watch the Duke vs. Siena game:

The first-round game between Duke and Siena airs on CBS.

Where to stream the Duke vs. Siena game without cable:

Thursday’s Duke vs. Siena game will stream live on Paramount+ Premium. You’ll also be able to access every men’s March Madness game on live TV services like DirecTV and YouTube TV.

Paramount+ offers subscribers access to loads of sports, including many of this year’s March Madness men’s basketball games, as well as the NFL, soccer and more. Plus you get access to great shows like Survivor, The Challenge and more.

There are two Paramount+ tiers to choose from: the ad-supported Essential plan (regularly $9.99/month) or their ad-free Premium plan with Showtime (regularly $13.99/month), which also gives you ad-free streaming of on-demand content, live access to your local CBS station, and full streaming access to Showtime.

Now through March 31, you can pay just $2.99/month for your first two months, for either the Essential or Premium plan. After the discount period ends, you can continue paying the regular monthly rate or cancel. This offer is for new customers and select returning customers who subscribe through certain third-party sites, see offer for specifics.

Which teams are competing in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament?

The following is a breakdown of every First Round game schedule, including who’s playing and how to watch.

All times Eastern

Thursday, March 19

12:15 p.m.: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU (CBS)
12:40 p.m.: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy (TruTV)
1:30 p.m.: No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida (TNT)
1:50 p.m.: No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 High Point (TBS)
2:50 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena (CBS)
3:15 p.m.: No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese (TruTV)
4:05 p.m.: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State
4:25 p.m.: No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawaii (TBS)
6:50 p.m.: No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 VCU (TNT)
7:10 p.m.: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 UMBC or Howard (CBS)
7:25 p.m.: No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Texas or NC State (TBS)
7:35 p.m.: No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (TruTV)
9:25 p.m.: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Penn (TNT)
9:45 p.m.: No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis (CBS)
10 p.m.: No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State (TBS)
10:10 p.m.: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Idaho (TruTV)

Friday, March 20

12:15 p.m.: No. 7 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Santa Clara (CBS)
12:40 p.m.: No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Akron (TruTV)
1:35 p.m.: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 16 LIU (TNT)
1:50 p.m.: No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State (TBS)
2:50 p.m.: No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Tennessee State (CBS)
3:15 p.m.: No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 Hofstra (TruTV)
4:10 p.m.: No. 8 Villanova vs. No. 9 Utah State (TNT)
4:25 p.m.: No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) or SMU (TBS)
6:50 p.m.: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Iowa (TNT)
7:10 p.m.: No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa (CBS)
7:25 p.m.: No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF (TBS)
7:35 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 Queens (TruTV)
9:25 p.m.: No. 16 Prairie View A&M or Lehigh vs. No. 1 Florida (TNT)
9:45 p.m.: No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Cal Baptist (CBS)
10 p.m.: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman (TBS)
10:10 p.m.: No. 7 Miami vs. No. 10 Missouri (TruTV)

2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament schedule:

The schedule and locations for the men’s tournament:

Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 15 on CBS
First Four: Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18
First round: Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20
Second round: Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Sweet 16: Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27
Elite Eight: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
Final Four: Saturday, April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
NCAA championship game: Monday, April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

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