TNT Sports Tips Off Second Season of Men’s College Basketball with Star-Studded Opening Week, Nov. 2–6

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

TNT Sports Tips Off Second Season of Men’s College Basketball with Star-Studded Opening Week, Nov. 2–6

Purdue vs. #15 Gonzaga & #22 UCLA vs. #15 Arizona Headline TNT Sports Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas Doubleheader, Monday, Nov. 2; #16 Michigan vs. #4 UConn Showdown Set for Friday, Nov. 6, in Boston

Six Games Across TNT, truTV & HBO Max, Including Thursday’s BIG EAST & Big 12 Tripleheader

Hubert Davis Joins TNT Sports as Regular College Basketball Contributor, Beginning Thursday, Nov. 5

Adam Lefkoe, Bruce Pearl, Jalen Rose & Jamal Mashburn Lead Opening Week Studio Coverage; Chris Webber Joins for Friday’s Michigan–UConn Showdown

TNT Sports will tip off its second full regular season of men’s college basketball with a star-studded opening week, Nov. 2–6, featuring six games across TNT, truTV and HBO Max. The action-packed slate will showcase some of the sport’s most celebrated programs, including a pair of marquee TNT Sports Hall of Fame Series events in Las Vegas and Boston, along with a Thursday night tripleheader featuring BIG EAST and Big 12 competition.

The opening week will also usher in another season of college basketball coverage from TNT Sports and CBS Sports, taking fans from the first tip-off in November through the madness of March and the final One Shining Moment in April, when a national champion is crowned at the NCAA Men’s Final Four across their collective networks and platforms.

TNT Sports will welcome former North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis as a regular contributor to its men’s college basketball game and studio coverage throughout the 2026–27 season. Davis will make his first studio appearance Thursday, Nov. 5, as part of the network’s BIG EAST and Big 12 tripleheader on truTV and HBO Max. A 12-year NBA veteran, Davis guided the Tar Heels to the 2022 NCAA national championship game and brings the perspective of a former player and head coach to TNT Sports’ coverage. He joins a commentator roster featuring championship-winning coaches, college basketball legends and some of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting.

OPENING NIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT MATCHUPS
The season opens Monday, Nov. 2, with a blockbuster TNT Sports Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas doubleheader from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring Purdue vs. #15 Gonzaga at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by #22 UCLA vs. #5 Arizona at 10 p.m. Both games will be televised on TNT, with simulcasts on truTV and HBO Max.

Brian Anderson, one of sports television’s most accomplished and versatile play-by-play voices, will call both games alongside Grant Hill, a two-time NCAA national champion at Duke and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Veteran TNT Sports reporter Allie LaForce will provide courtside reporting throughout the night.

Opening night studio coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, with Adam Lefkoe hosting alongside an accomplished collection of basketball personalities: Bruce Pearl, former Auburn head coach who guided the Tigers to two Final Four appearances; Jalen Rose, a member of Michigan’s iconic Fab Five and 13-year NBA veteran; and Jamal Mashburn, a former Kentucky All-American and NBA All-Star. The group will deliver pregame, halftime and postgame coverage, blending sharp analysis, firsthand experience and spirited debate throughout the doubleheader.

BIG EAST/BIG 12 OPENERS ON TNT SPORTS
The action continues Thursday, Nov. 5, with three games on truTV and HBO Max, offering fans an early look at programs from two of the nation’s premier college basketball conferences, the BIG EAST and Big 12.

The evening begins with Long Island visiting Seton Hall at 6:30 p.m. ET with veteran national play-by-player Spero Dedes, and analyst Jim Spanarkel on the call, and TNT Sports reporter Jared Greenberg courtside.

That will be followed by South Florida at DePaul at 8:30 p.m., with commentary from JB Long, 11-year NBA veteran Greg Anthony and Allie LaForce.

The tripleheader concludes in Tucson, where #5 Arizona returns to the national spotlight against Cal Poly at 10:30 p.m. On the call will be Brandon Gaudin, who will be joined by Ronny Thompson, former Georgetown player and college basketball coach, with TNT Sports and acclaimed college basketball correspondent Andy Katz.

Studio coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET, featuring a quartet of college basketball voices: host Tim Doyle will be joined by experienced college basketball analyst Dalen Cuff, award-winning college basketball journalist and analyst Seth Davis; and Hubert Davis.

2026 MEN’S NATIONAL TITLE REMATCH CAPS OPENING WEEK
TNT Sports’ opening week culminates Friday, Nov. 6, with a marquee TNT Sports Hall of Fame Series Boston showdown between #16 Michigan and #4 UConn at 8 p.m. ET from TD Garden, airing on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.

In a rematch of the 2026 NCAA national championship game, two of college basketball’s premier programs will renew acquaintances on a national stage, bringing championship pedigree, passionate fan bases and plenty of intrigue to one of the season’s most compelling early matchups.

Brian Anderson and Grant Hill will return to call the action, joined courtside by Lauren Jbara.

Friday’s studio coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, with Adam Lefkoe, Bruce Pearl, Jalen Rose and Jamal Mashburn joined by Chris Webber, a five-time NBA All-Star, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and fellow member of Michigan’s legendary Fab Five.

THRILLING COLLEGE BASKETBALL ACTION ALL SEASON LONG
Building on its inaugural full regular season, TNT Sports will continue to showcase top-tier men’s college basketball throughout 2026–27, with a robust schedule of BIG EAST and Big 12 conference games, marquee non-conference matchups and signature events.

The season-long excitement will build toward March Madness, when TNT Sports and CBS Sports once again combine to present the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, bringing fans the unforgettable upsets, buzzer-beaters and defining moments that make college basketball one of sports’ most compelling spectacles.

All TNT Sports college basketball coverage will also stream live on HBO Max, where fans can also relive standout plays with Key Moments or jump into the action with Quick Catch-Up to get up to speed if they are joining late. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos deliver immersive picture and sound on supported devices, bringing fans closer to every possession.

TNT Sports Men’s College Basketball Opening Week Schedule
All Times Eastern