CBS Sports Drops 2025-26 College basketball Schedule: 300+ Games, Marquee Matchups, and Full NCAA Tournament Coverage

In a move that’s already buzzing across the hoops world, CBS Sports has unveiled its expansive 2025-26 College basketball schedule, promising fans over 300 regular-season games packed with elite talent and unforgettable rivalries. This comprehensive lineup not only spotlights the intensity of the College basketball season but also secures exclusive coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, ensuring viewers won’t miss a slam dunk from tip-off to the final buzzer.

The announcement, timed perfectly to build anticipation as summer fades into fall, kicks off with the iconic CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic, setting the stage for what could be one of the most thrilling 2025-26 seasons yet. With top-ranked programs like Duke, Kentucky, and UConn leading the charge, this CBS Sports schedule is designed to capture the heart-pounding drama that makes college basketball a cultural phenomenon. According to CBS Sports executive producer David Berson, “We’re thrilled to bring fans closer to the action than ever before, with matchups that will define legacies and create new stars.”

This schedule arrives on the heels of a record-breaking 2024-25 season, where viewership for NCAA tournament games surged by 15% year-over-year, drawing in over 20 million average viewers per Final Four matchup. As the landscape of college basketball evolves with the transfer portal and NIL deals reshaping rosters, CBS’s commitment to broadcasting more than 300 games underscores its role as the premier destination for the sport.

CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic Ignites the 2025-26 Season

The 2025-26 college basketball calendar officially tips off with the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic, a Thanksgiving week extravaganza that’s become synonymous with early-season excitement. Scheduled for November 25-27, 2025, in Las Vegas, this event will feature four powerhouse teams battling it out in a round-robin format, guaranteeing at least two marquee games on CBS’s airwaves.

Headlining the classic is a clash between No. 1-ranked Duke Blue Devils and the defending national champions from UConn Huskies. Duke, fresh off a Final Four appearance, boasts a reloaded roster with five-star freshman phenom Jayden Ramirez, whose highlight-reel dunks have already gone viral in summer leagues. UConn, aiming for a three-peat under coach Dan Hurley, counters with veteran guard Andre Jackson Jr., who averaged 18.5 points per game last season. “This matchup is pure fireworks,” said Hurley in a pre-season interview. “Duke’s speed against our physicality—it’s going to be a statement game.”

Joining them are Kansas Jayhawks and Gonzaga Bulldogs, both perennial contenders. Kansas, led by All-American point guard Hunter Dickinson, enters the season with sky-high expectations after a 28-win campaign. Gonzaga, under Mark Few’s steady hand, features sharpshooter Drew Timme’s successor in freshman sensation Luca Nanni, projected to light up the arc from beyond 40 feet.

Historically, the Thanksgiving Classic has produced iconic moments, like the 2023 upset where unheralded Dayton stunned Arizona. This year, CBS Sports anticipates over 5 million viewers for the headline game alone, based on last season’s 4.2 million average. The event’s neutral-site setting in Las Vegas adds a layer of glitz, with pre-game coverage including player interviews and bracket predictions to hook fans early.

Beyond the games, the classic incorporates community initiatives, such as youth clinics sponsored by CBS, emphasizing the sport’s role in inspiring the next generation. As the gateway to the 2025-26 season, this tournament isn’t just basketball—it’s the spark that ignites March Madness dreams.

Marquee Matchups That Could Shake Up the NCAA Landscape

Diving deeper into the CBS Sports schedule, the regular season is loaded with high-stakes showdowns designed to test the mettle of top teams and create buzzer-beaters for the ages. Spanning from November 2025 through March 2026, these over 300 games include conference rivalries, non-conference thrillers, and crossover battles that often foreshadow tournament success.

One can’t-miss rivalry renewal is the Kentucky Wildcats versus North Carolina Tar Heels on December 14, 2025, at Rupp Arena. This ACC-SEC clash, broadcast live on CBS, revives a historic feud that’s produced 12 national championships combined between the two programs. Kentucky, under new coach Mark Pope, integrates transfer portal wizard Reed Sheppard, a 6’3″ guard with a 42% three-point stroke. North Carolina, rebuilding after a disappointing Sweet 16 exit, relies on RJ Davis, who dropped 22.3 points per game last year. “These games are why we play,” Pope remarked. “The energy in Lexington will be electric.”

Another highlight is the Big Ten-Big 12 showdown series, featuring Purdue Boilermakers hosting UCLA Bruins on January 18, 2026. Purdue’s Zach Edey, the 7’4″ center who dominated with 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds in 2024-25, faces off against UCLA’s Adem Bona, a rim-protecting force. This game, part of a multi-team pod, could influence conference standings and at-large bids for the NCAA tournament.

CBS Sports has also secured exclusive windows for women’s college basketball crossovers, though the primary focus remains men’s action. Statistics from Nielsen show that marquee men’s games average 3.8 million viewers, a 20% uptick from five years ago, driven by streaming integrations on Paramount+.

To add depth, the schedule includes emerging rivalries like Alabama Crimson Tide versus Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl of basketball on February 8, 2026. Alabama’s Nate Oats has transformed the program into a contender, winning 25 games last season, while Auburn’s Bruce Pearl brings defensive grit. These matchups not only boost college basketball ratings but also highlight the sport’s growing parity, with mid-majors like Saint Peter’s earning spots in CBS’s lineup after their 2022 Cinderella run.

With 45% of games featuring ranked teams—based on preseason polls—these contests promise volatility. Fans can expect triple-overtime thrillers and game-winning threes, all captured in crisp 4K broadcasts with advanced analytics overlays.

Exclusive NCAA Tournament Coverage: From Selection Sunday to Championship Glory

As the 2025-26 season builds to its crescendo, CBS Sports reaffirms its status as the home of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament with full exclusive coverage. From Selection Sunday on March 16, 2026, through the Final Four in San Antonio on April 5, 2026, every moment of March Madness will unfold on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV, with CBS leading the charge on key games.

The tournament’s first round, kicking off March 20, 2026, across 14 host sites, will feature 48 games over the weekend, with CBS airing 16 of them. Iconic venues like Spokane’s Arena and Omaha’s CHI Health Center will host early action, where underdogs often steal the spotlight. Last year’s tournament saw 12 double-digit seeds advance, including a 15-over-2 upset that drew 8.7 million viewers for a single game.

CBS’s production team, renowned for innovations like player tracking via Second Spectrum technology, will provide immersive viewing experiences. Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games, concentrated in regional hubs like Newark and Las Vegas, promise escalating drama. The network’s signature studio show, hosted by Clark Kellogg and Kenny Smith, will deliver expert analysis, with guest appearances from legends like Magic Johnson.

Looking at historical impact, CBS’s NCAA broadcasts have generated over $1 billion in ad revenue since 2010, funding scholarships and facilities. For 2025-26, enhancements include expanded digital coverage on CBS Sports HQ, offering live streams and VR highlights for cord-cutters. Quotes from tournament director Dan Gavitt emphasize collaboration: “Partnering with CBS Sports ensures the magic of March reaches every fan, from arenas to apps.”

Anticipation is high for potential storylines, such as UConn’s dynasty quest or a blue-blood resurgence from UCLA. With bracket challenges and office pools in full swing by February, this coverage cements college basketball‘s place in American sports lore.

Rising Stars and Powerhouse Programs Shaping the Schedule

The CBS Sports 2025-26 schedule isn’t just about games—it’s a showcase for the talent driving college basketball forward. Preseason rankings position Duke at No. 1, followed closely by Kansas and Houston, but the depth of the field suggests multiple contenders for the NCAA title.

Key to Duke’s dominance is freshman guard Cooper Flagg, a projected No. 1 NBA draft pick whose 6’9″ frame and 35-inch vertical have scouts salivating. Teamed with returning star Jeremy Roach, Flagg could average a double-double. Kansas counters with KJ Adams Jr., a versatile forward who led the Jayhawks to the Big 12 title last year, contributing 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds.

In the women’s realm, though secondary to the men’s focus, CBS will air select games like South Carolina versus Iowa, pitting Dawn Staley’s undefeated champs against Caitlin Clark’s successor. But the men’s schedule steals the show with international flavor: Baylor Bears feature Nigerian big man Yves Missi, whose shot-blocking prowess echoes Rudy Gobert.

Statistics underscore the talent boom—average NBA draft class from college has risen to 45 players since 2020, thanks to one-and-done stars. CBS’s coverage will highlight these narratives, from transfer success stories like USC’s Bronny James (if he returns) to under-the-radar gems at programs like FAU.

Conference realignments add intrigue: The expanded Big Ten, now including USC and UCLA, schedules intra-conference tilts that could decide league crowns. Pac-12 remnants like Gonzaga maintain relevance through independents’ showcases. As the schedule unfolds, expect analytics-driven previews, injury updates, and fan polls to keep engagement high.

With over 300 games, CBS Sports is positioning itself to capture every pivot, crossover, and fast break, fostering a season where surprises are the norm and championships are earned in the spotlight.

Looking ahead, this 2025-26 college basketball slate could redefine rivalries and launch legacies, with implications rippling into the NBA and beyond. Fans are advised to mark calendars now, as streaming options expand and ticket sales for key events like the Thanksgiving Classic go live next month. As Berson noted, “The journey to the championship starts here—get ready for hoops history.” Whether you’re a die-hard bracketologist or casual viewer, CBS’s comprehensive coverage ensures no moment is missed in what promises to be an unforgettable season.