The NCAA Tournament pushes forward on Sunday.
We have eight more games on tap for Sunday. Day 2 of the second round begins shortly after noon E.T., with a game between No. 2 seed Purdue and No. 7 seed Miami. Later on Sunday, we'll get No. 2 Iowa State against No. 7 seed Kentucky, No. 4 Kansas against No. 5 St. John's and more.
Here's the full NCAA Tournament schedule for Sunday, March 22:
- No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 7 Miami at 12:15 p.m. E.T. on CBS
- No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 7 Kentucky at 2:45 p.m. E.T. on CBS
- No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 5 St. John's at 5:15 p.m. E.T. on CBS
- No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 6 Tennessee at 6:10 p.m. E.T. on TNT
- No. 1 Florida vs. No. 9 Iowa at 7:10 p.m. E.T. on TBS
- No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 9 Utah State at 7:50 p.m. E.T. on truTV
- No. 2 UConn vs. No. 7 UCLA at 8:45 p.m. E.T. on TNT
- No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 5 Texas Tech at 9:45 p.m. E.T. on TBS
So, from noon E.T. until 5 p.m. E.T., we'll get two games. Then, from 5 p.m. E.T. until probably close to midnight, we'll get six games.
Why have two standalone games early on Sunday and then six packed together late? It's all about TV money.
CBS wants major standalone games on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The prime window is for those games, while the other stations like TBS, TNT and truTV get the later games packed together.
It's unfortunate, but that's what we have.
College basketball fans ripping NCAA Tournament for schedule
Fans are not happy, to say the least.
"Truly insane NCAA Tournament schedule today. Just 2 games starting before 5 PM and the final tip at almost 10 PM on a Sunday," College Sports Only wrote.
Truly insane NCAA Tournament schedule today.
Just 2 games starting before 5 PM and the final tip at almost 10 PM on a Sunday. 🤦♂️ #MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/JFT4MMVl4p
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) March 22, 2026
Fans are bothered by it.
"Yep…and that late game will likely end up pushed back from the game before running long," one wrote.
"sunday night basketball tip at 10pm is how you lose casual fans. college basketball scheduling peak chaos," one fan added.
'Its the worst. If anything load up the early schedule and have the final games as standalone like the nfl," one fan added.
"Yeah, they’re trying to get 2 primetime night games in at those arenas. It’s not hard to understand. Once you realize the world doesn’t revolve around you, it’s easier to understand things," one fan added.
Others are defending it.
"Good. Later games are better….eliminates the feel of a Sunday and having to get motivated for a Monday work day," one shared.
Where do you stand on the schedule for Sunday?
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.