TNT Sports Unveils 2026-27 Men’s College Basketball Slate Headlined by National Championship Rematch & Marquee BIG EAST and Big 12 Showdowns

Editor’s Note: All rankings referenced reflect Andy Katz’s Power 44 published by NCAA.com on Oct. 1, 2026.

A national championship rematch, an opening-night showcase of four Power 44 programs and a late-season clash between the BIG EAST’s highest-ranked teams will headline TNT Sports’ 2026-27 men’s college basketball coverage. The 67-game slate across TNT, truTV and HBO Max features 21 teams in NCAA.com college basketball insider Andy Katz’s preseason Power 44, with 16 matchups between ranked teams.

The season tips off Monday, Nov. 2, with a TNT Sports Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas doubleheader from T-Mobile Arena. No. 26 Purdue meets No. 28 Gonzaga at 7:30 p.m. ET, matching two perennial NCAA tournament programs. At 10 p.m., No. 6 Arizona faces No. 29 UCLA in a showdown of longtime rivals, with the Wildcats entering the season as Katz’s highest-ranked Big 12 team. Both games will air on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.

Four nights later, the spotlight shifts to a rematch of college basketball’s biggest game. No. 5 UConn and No. 16 Michigan meet in the Hall of Fame Series Boston on Friday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, renewing their 2026 NCAA Men’s National Championship Game matchup. With both programs entering the season among Katz’s top 16, the meeting offers an early test against another national contender.

TNT Sports’ schedule includes 50 BIG EAST games, 15 Big 12 games and the Hall of Fame Series games, carrying the season from opening night through the final weekend of the regular season.

BIG EAST Showdowns Build toward St John’s at UConn

No. 5 UConn and No. 17 St. John’s — the BIG EAST’s top two teams in Katz’s rankings — anchor a slate that builds toward their Tuesday, March 2 showdown at 7:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV and HBO Max. Arriving in the final week of the regular season, the matchup could help shape the conference title race and the teams’ momentum heading into March Madness.

The Huskies’ path to that meeting includes an early measuring stick against No. 24 Ohio State on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a conference test against No. 42 Marquette on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. For St. John’s, a visit to Marquette on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. puts two Power 44 teams on the same floor before the stretch run. All three games will air on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.

That closing stretch brings another marquee matchup when No. 36 Villanova visits No. 17 St. John’s on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max. UConn then closes its regular season at No. 44 Xavier. on Saturday, March 6 at 2:30 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max, giving viewers another matchup of Power 44 programs on the final weekend.

Big 12 Contenders and Rivalries Take Center Stage

TNT Sports’ Big 12 conference coverage opens with a matchup of closely ranked contenders: No. 31 Texas Tech at No. 30 TCU on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. on TNT, truTV and HBO Max. With just one spot separating the programs in Katz’s preseason rankings, the meeting sets the tone for a slate featuring eight Big 12 teams in the Power 44.

The Utah–BYU rivalry follows on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 10 p.m. on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, with the No. 21 Cougars looking to defend their home court against their in-state rival. No. 40 Baylor’s visit to No. 30 TCU on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 9:30 p.m. on truTV and HBO Max, and its home matchup with No. 41 Cincinnati on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, add two more meetings between Power 44 teams.

Additional details surrounding TNT Sports’ college basketball coverage, including commentators, studio teams and production plans, will be announced ahead of the season. The full men’s schedule follows.

2026-27 Men’s College Basketball Schedule on TNT, truTV & HBO Max

All times ET; schedule subject to change.